Limiting Factors
The giraffe is naturally hunted by the lion. However, observers are finding that human interference is now causing most of giraffe deaths. Poaching seems to be a big problem. In Africa, there is a 5 year jail penalty for killing a giraffe but this doesn't stop many poachers. Some forests where the giraffes live are protected but illegal tree cutting still takes place.
Population Monitoring Technology
So that researchers can keep track of the population, they have come up with various types of technology. Radio collars are generally used for tracking giraffes by GPS. Because of their long necks, there are many challenges with actually putting the collar on the giraffe. Most all methods of doing this require using anesthesia. This is quite a risk because most giraffes will die after half an hour of a slowed heart rate. It takes an average of 7 people on a team to fit the giraffe with their belt.
The belts are normally made of leather and have the giraffe fur pattern printed on them.
The belts are normally made of leather and have the giraffe fur pattern printed on them.
This technique is helpful because it can track the giraffes over the long distances they travel. The belts help to identify and keep track of how many giraffes there are. These also help researchers to learn about the giraffe's lifestyle and behavior. The GPS not only indicates locations, but also time for a more accurate map. For instance, if the giraffe is near a water source every three days, it's an indication of how often they need water. This type of device only works well with animals that are able to be caught, hooked up, and then released again.
Below is an example of a triangulation map for two different bachelor giraffes. These maps can be made with the coordinates from the GPS belt and unit set up with the giraffes. In this case, there are two GPS antennas and they each give off one coordinate every so often. A trail can be made with the coordinates to see where the giraffe traveled.
Below is an example of a triangulation map for two different bachelor giraffes. These maps can be made with the coordinates from the GPS belt and unit set up with the giraffes. In this case, there are two GPS antennas and they each give off one coordinate every so often. A trail can be made with the coordinates to see where the giraffe traveled.
As you can see, the giraffes were able to cover quite a bit of ground in 12 hours. Unfortunately for Giraffe #2, he did not make it past 4 o'clock. The GPS units can also show type of activity. A slow pulse indicates that the animal is moving and a fast pulse indicates no heart beat.
Another way that the population may be monitored is through a sort of sampling. This researcher shares his discoveries as he got to observe wildlife in Namibia, Africa which is host to the only growing population of giraffe in Africa.
Another way that the population may be monitored is through a sort of sampling. This researcher shares his discoveries as he got to observe wildlife in Namibia, Africa which is host to the only growing population of giraffe in Africa.