Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

This study was conducted at Borås Zoo to investigate the effect on enclosure use, foraging behaviours and social interactions of keeping african savannah elephant (Loxodonta Africana) and rothschild’s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) together in the Savannah enclosure. The two species were observed in three different scenarios: 1) Elephants in the Savannah enclosure without the presence of giraffes, 2) Giraffes in the Savannah enclosure without the presence of elephants, and 3) Elephants and giraffes together in the Savannah enclosure. The observations were conducted using instantaneous registration with one- and five-minute intervals for enclosure use and foraging behaviours, respectively, whilst the social behaviours were recorded only by frequency. The data was then compared to investigate any potential differences in enclosure use and behaviours between the different scenarios. The results indicated that both species were affected by being kept together in the enclosure, both regarding enclosure use and behaviour. This effect could be explained by stress originating in one of the elephants past experiences with giraffes, and the negative social interactions expressed towards the giraffes by the elephants. Lack of sufficient data and an uneven number of observations per scenario makes drawing any general conclusions outside of this specific population difficult. Further research on keeping elephants together with giraffes in one enclosure is therefore needed.