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Unlike wild giraffe that primarily consume low starch browse, the preference of zoo-housed giraffe for consuming supplemental feeds over forage could increase the risk of digestive disorders such as ruminal acidosis. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of modifying a supplemental feed's non-fibre carbohydrate profile and physical form on nutritional, behavioural, and blood measures of giraffe in a zoological setting. Six non-lactating, adult, female reticulated giraffes were used in a two-pen modified reversal study using two dietary treatments in seven 21-day periods with data collected on days 15-21. Dietary treatments were a control feed comprised of commercially available products used at the time as the giraffe feed (GF) and an unpelleted experimental feed (EF). On a dry matter basis, GF and EF, respectively, contained 17.0% and 17.4% crude protein, 14.2% and 1.5% starch, 14.9% and 21.3% ethanol-soluble carbohydrates, 22.9% and 26.0% acid detergent fibre (ADF) and 9.50% and 14.9% ND-soluble fibre (NDSF), with modulus of fineness values of 3.62 and 4.82. Supplemental feeds, alfalfa hay, salt, and water were available for ad libitum consumption. Significance was declared at p ≤ 0.05. Intakes of hay, supplemental feeds, and total feed did not differ by diet (p > 0.28), though intakes of starch (0.93 and 0.12 kg; p = 0.05) and ADF (1.83 and 2.23 kg; p = 0.04) differed between GF and EF respectively. Giraffe behaviour values (min/48 h) were greater with EF for total eating (p = 0.04); diets were not detected as different for engagement in oral stereotypes (GF = 433, EF = 318 min/48 h; p = 0.22). Blood glucose was higher on GF than EF (99.0 and 82.3 mg/dL; p = 0.03). The lower EF blood glucose value is more similar to ranges reported for domesticated ruminants. No differences were detected for changes in body weight or body condition score in the 21-day periods (p > 0.32). Modification of supplemental feed carbohydrate profile and physical form can influence behaviour and blood glucose values of zoo-housed giraffe., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.)

Few reports of neoplastic diseases in manatees exist in the veterinary literature. This case series presents reproductive neoplasia noted in eight wild and long-term captive female Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) obtained through carcass recovery and animal rehabilitation programs between April 2009 and May 2014. All cases were evaluated histologically, and diagnoses of uterine carcinoma (n = 1), granulosa cell tumor (n = 2), ovarian adnexal tumor (n = 1), and leiomyoma (n = 5) were made. The underlying cause of tumor development and effects on reproductive success is currently unknown, but possible asymmetric reproductive aging and/or a correlation between obesity and reproductive disorder in long-term nonreproductive female manatees are of interest and warrant further investigation.

Serum chemistry analyses were compared between captive and free-ranging giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) in an attempt to better understand some of the medical issues seen with captive giraffes. Illnesses, including peracute mortality, energy malnutrition, pancreatic disease, urolithiasis, hoof disease, and severe intestinal parasitism, may be related to zoo nutrition and management issues. Serum samples were collected from 20 captive giraffes at 10 United States institutions. Thirteen of the captive animal samples were collected from animals trained for blood collection; seven were banked samples obtained from a previous serum collection. These samples were compared with serum samples collected from 24 free-ranging giraffes in South Africa. Differences between captive and free-ranging giraffes, males and females, and adults and subadults were analyzed by using a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial and Fisher's least significant difference for mean separation; when necessary variables were ranked and analyzed via analysis of variance. Potassium and bilirubin concentrations and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were different between captive and free-ranging giraffes, but all fell within normal bovid reference ranges. The average glucose concentration was significantly elevated in free-ranging giraffes (161 mg/dl) compared with captive giraffes (113 mg/dl). All giraffes in this study had glucose concentrations higher than bovine (42-75 mg/ dl) and caprine (48-76 mg/dl) reference ranges. Differences were also seen in lipase, chloride, and magnesium though these findings are likely not clinically significant. There were no differences detected between sexes. Adults had higher concentrations of potassium, total protein, globulins, and chloride and higher gamma glutamyltransferase activities, whereas subadults had higher concentrations of phosphorus. Within the captive group, nonimmobilized animals had higher concentrations of total protein and globulins. Captive giraffe diets need further investigation to determine if the differences seen in this study, especially glucose and bilirubin concentrations and ALT activities, may result in some health problems often seen in captive giraffes.