Social affiliation analysis in giraffes in a captive setting

Presenter: Sierra Rasmussen, Lindsey Stewart

Co-Presenter(s):
Victoria Brunal, Erika Defer, & Derek Girman

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 22-23

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Dereck Girman

Department: Biology

Funding Source/Sponsor: Koret Scholars Program

President's Strategic Plan Goal: Connectivity and Community Engagement

Abstract:
We examined fourteen of the giraffes at the Safari West Wild Animal Preserve. After generating reliability tests for identification and behavioral observations, we completed focal observations as part of a standard ethogram on each individual, multiple times a week, for two months. These focal observations, which consist making behavioral observations for twenty minutes per individual, included location tracking, specifying different types of movement, and identifying interactions with other giraffes. This information is a crucial component of a more detailed analysis of social affiliations in giraffes.