Biology Project Abstract
BEHAVIORAL INVESTIGATIONS OF CAPTIVE RETICULATED GIRAFFES (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS RETICULATA) CONCERNING THE INTRODUCTION OF AN INFANT MALE
Presenters:
David Hamman, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; dhamman@imsa.edu
Jennifer Stynoski, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506; srrulz@imsa.edu
Mentor:
Sue Margulis, Ph.D., Brookfield Zoo, Animal Collection/Conservation, Brookfield, IL 60513
Abstract:
Since behavior is a visual indicator of an animal’s internal and external environment, monitoring behavior reveals variation within that environment without direct human interaction. Through observations, the impact of planned changes can be documented. The birth of Mashama, a reticulated giraffe, provided an opportunity to examine the effects on one such change. The purpose of our study included tracking changes in the behavior of the mother and calf, and also of the five giraffes before and after the birth of the calf. The observational sampling methods described in Altmann '74 were utilized to obtain a time budget for each animal as well as the social interactions between individuals, with emphasis on the mother and calf. Data previously collected by keepers formed a baseline for the comparison of the behaviors observed over a six-month duration. Preliminary analyses show that trends went in the expected direction. One indication of impact as a result of the calf's introduction is a dramatic difference in the time budget of the mother, possibly due to the stress of raising a calf. Additional conclusions will be discussed in depth.