Detection of Limb Inflammation in Giraffes using Thermography

Students: Katelin Nicaragua, Kate Fox

Faculty Mentor: Derek Girman

Biology

College of Science, Technology, and Business

Thermography, an emerging tool in veterinary care, has gained traction in the management of exotic species such as giraffes. This technique detects inflammation by identifying abnormal heat signatures in the limbs, distinguishing between pathological inflammation and natural heat from skeletal growth in juvenile giraffes. By analyzing temperature gradients in thermal images and comparing them to baseline values from healthy individuals, this study aims to establish reliable thermal indicators for limb tissue inflammation in giraffes. Lameness, a primary welfare concern in captive giraffes, is often caused by foot and limb ailments that are challenging to diagnose non-invasively due to the species’ size, unique morphology, and the risks associated with sedation. This research seeks to develop a comprehensive, non-invasive framework for early detection of tissue inflammation that can be associated with lameness using thermographic imaging. Images were collected from 14 giraffes at Safari West, where giraffes roam in naturalistic habitats. Using these images, we aim to create species-specific thermal benchmarks to more safely and effectively monitor giraffe health in zoological settings. Additionally, it will contribute to a broader, multi-institutional effort evaluating thermal imaging for early detection of limb disorders and monitoring growth in giraffes, including identifying growth-related inflammation in young individuals. This project will provide valuable insights into the health and management of this unique species.