European studbook for the giraffe eep

EUROPEAN STUDBOOK 

FOR THE 

GIRAFFE EEP 

EDITION 6A, APRIL 2009 

DATA CURRENT THROUGH 31 DECEMBER 2008 

EEP Coordinator and studbook keeper: 

Ir. Marc Damen, Rotterdam Zoo, The Netherlands

CONTENTS OF THE STUDBOOK 

Contents Page 2 

Introduction Page 3 

Giraffe EEP Annual Report 2008 Page 4 

Information on organisation of the studbook Page 4 

Overview of Giraffes in the Giraffe EEP as of 31 December 2008 Page 8 

Remarks on developments in 2008 Page 13 

Age distribution of all giraffes in the EEP Page 14 

Husbandry and management guidelines Page 15 

General actions for the year 2009 and later Page 15 

Future holders Page 17 

Status and development of the European studbook population Page 18 

The Kordofan giraffes (G. c. antiquorum) Page 18 

The Cape giraffes (G. c. giraffa) Page 19 

The Angolan giraffes (G. c. angolensis) Page 20 

The Masai giraffes (G. c. tippelskirchi) Page 21 

The Reticulated giraffes (G. c. reticulata) Page 22 

The Baringo giraffes (G. c. rothschildi) Page 23 

The hybrid and unknown origin giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) Page 24 

2

INTRODUCTION 

Rotterdam, 6 April 2009 

Never a dull moment with the EAZA Giraffe EEP. In 2008 we saw the results of the policy to 

phase out hybrid giraffes: the number decreased by 11 (6%) from 200 to 189, while the total 

number of giraffes increased from 525 to 554. Therefore the share of the hybrids decreased to 

25% and the coming years a further and even more rapid decrease is expected as more and 

more hyrids are removed from breeding conditions. 

The population of Baringo giraffes increased again rapidly, the Reticulated and Kordofan 

giraffe population grew a bit more modest. So all in all the year 2008 saw the first results of 

all efforts done in the past years. 

The end of 2008 marked also the era of this species committee and in the beginning of 2009 

new species committee elections were held. The EEP Coordinator and Studbook keeper (i.e. 

the undersigned) changed jobs again and EAZA decided, supported by the Giraffe & 

Antelope TAG, to move the coordination of this EEP with the present coordinator to 

Rotterdam Zoo. 

The EAZA Giraffe EEP is on the right way and achieving the goals the previous species 

committee had set itself half a decade ago. It can only be hoped that this development can be 

continued and accelerated with the next, newly elected species committee. 

The prospects for this are bright, as, despite the blue tongue, in 2008 over 100 giraffes were 

transported. This year, 2009, seems to beat that again. 

The Giraffe EEP again looks forward to a fruitful cooperation with all participants, in the 

interest of the giraffes and all institutions involved. 

Best regards, 

Marc Damen 

EAZA Giraffe EEP Coordinator 

Director / CEO, Rotterdam Zoo 

The Netherlands 

3

GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) 

EEP Annual Report 2008 

1. Information on organisation of the studbook 

EEP co-ordinator: 

International studbook keeper: 

Ir. Marc Damen 

Rotterdam Zoo, NL 

directie@rotterdamzoo.nl 

None 

Species committee: Aalborg: Jens Lilleør 

Period: 2004-2008 Arnhem: Tom de Jongh 

Barcelona: Conrad Enseñat 

Belfast: Mark Challis 

Chester: Mark Pilgrim 

Dortmund: Frank Brandstätter 

Duisburg: Achim Winkler 

Dvur Kralove: Ludek Culik 

Emmen: Pierre de Wit 

Givskud: Richard Østerballe 

Hannover: Heiner Engel 

Köln: Waltraut Zimmermann 

Lisbon: Eric Bairrao Ruivo (until september 2008) 

Ljubljana: Irena Furlan 

Maktoum: Sean Mc Keown 

Osnabrück: Ute Magiera 

Rotterdam: Angela Glatston 

Sigean: Marianne Bilbaut 

Whipsnade: David Field 

Species committee: Antwerp: Sander Hofman 

Period: 2009-2013 Basel: Friederike von Houwald 

Chester: Tim Rowlands 

Doué-Fontaine: Pierre Gay 

Dvur Kralove: Ludek Culik 

Duisburg: Jochen Reiter 

Givskud: Richard Østerballe 

Hannover: Heiner Engel 

Hilvarenbeek: Lars Versteege 

Madrid: Jesús Fernandez Moran 

Marwell: Ian Goodwin 

Nyiregyhaza: Endre Papp 

Prague: Jaroslav Šimek 

Rhenen: Gerard Meijer 

Stuttgart: Ulrike Rademacher 

Warsaw: Anna Jacucinska 

Woburn: Jake Veasey 

4

Advisors: 

General advisor: 

Veterinary advisor: 

Nutritional advisors: 

Conservation advisor: 

Genetical advisor : 

Husbandry guidelines: 

Günther Schleußner, Stuttgart 

Jacques Kaandorp, Hilvarenbeek 

Jürgen Hummel, Bonn University 

Marcus Clauss, Zürich University 

Pierre Gay, Doué-la-Fontaine 

Rob Ogden, University of Wales 

Are published in July 2006 on CD-ROM as enclosure of 

the third edition of the Baringo giraffe EEP studbook and 

can be found on the EAZA website. 

Species co-ordinators in other regions: 

Laurie Bingaman Lackey from ISIS is PMP-keeper 

Lorraine Jolly from Werribee is Australasian species coordinator 

Isao Shimizu from Tama Zoo, Tokyo, is JAZA Giraffe 

Studbook keeper 

Last edition of 

European studbook: 

Other publications: 

August 2007 the third edition of the giraffe studbook, 

including historical data from all giraffes of all 

subspecies, was published in electronic form. 

September 2007, edition 4 of the studbook, containing 

data current through the end of 2006, was published. 

April 2008, edition 5 of the studbook, containing data 

current through the end of 2007, was published. 

* Brown, David M., R. Brenneman, K.P. Koepfli, et al., 

2007. Extensive population genetic structure in the 

giraffe. In: BMC Biology 2007, 5: 57. 

* Kauffels, Dr. T, 2008. Neue Giraffenhaltung im Zoo 

Kronberg (New keeping of giraffes at Opel Zoo 

Kronberg). In: Zool. Garten N. F. 77 (2008) 191 – 206. 

5

Conservation activities: 

The “Association pour la Sauvegarde des Girafes du 

Niger” (ASGN) tries to protect Nigerian giraffes (Giraffa 

camelopardalis peralta) and their habitat, while 

improving the wellbeing of the local people in Niger. 

This project is currently mainly supported by Doué-la- 

Fontaine/FR and Dalton-in-Furness/GB. 

Research activities: 

* Wildlife DNA Services, University of Wales, UK, is 

developing a suitable paternity test for giraffes. 

* Mitochondial DNA variability in Giraffa 

camelopardalis: consequences for taxonomy, 

phylogeography and conservation of giraffes in West and 

central Africa. Project of the National Museum of 

Natural History of Paris (which includes Paris zoo). 

* The Danish Cardiovascular Research Programme 

(DaGir) is studying the cardiovascular system of giraffes 

to better understand the humans cardiovascular system 

and diseases related to it. 

6

History of the Giraffe EEP 

1988: Established for Reticulated giraffes only. 

Co-ordinated by Dr. Anton Brotzler, Stuttgart. 

1991: Decided to include all giraffes and to transform 

Reticulated giraffe EEP into Giraffe EEP. 

1995: Dr. Anton Brotzler retired and was succeeded by 

Dr. Günther Schleußner from Stuttgart. 

2001: Publication of the first Giraffe EEP studbook, 

with data current through 31 December 1999. 

2003: Publication of the second Giraffe EEP studbook, 

with data current through 31 December 2001. 

2003: The Giraffe EEP was split up into two separate 

EEPs: The Reticulated giraffe EEP included also 

the Masai giraffe and was co-ordinated by Dr. 

Günther Schleußner from Stuttgart. The Baringo 

giraffe EEP included all other giraffes and was 

co-ordinated by Ir. Marc Damen from Arnhem. 

Species committee elections were held. 

2004: Meeting in Dvur Kralove to prepare husbandry 

guidelines. 

2006: Publication of the third edition of the Baringo 

giraffe EEP studbook with data current through 

the end of 2005, including husbandry and 

management guidelines for giraffes on CD. 

2006: Re-union of the Baringo giraffe EEP and the 

Reticulated giraffe EEP into the Giraffe EEP 

(which includes again all giraffes), co-ordinated 

by Marc Damen from Overloon. 

2007: Publication of the third edition of the Giraffe 

studbook, including historical data from all 

giraffes of all subspecies (in electronic form). 

Publication of edition 4 of the studbook, 

containing data current through the end of 2006. 

2008: Publication of edition 5 of the studbook, 

containing data current through the end of 2007. 

2009: EEP and Studbook succeeded to Marc Damen at 

Rotterdam Zoo. New species committee 

elections. 

7

Overview of the studbook population: 

A Group B C D E Group F 

Institution 

G.c. antiquorum 

G.c. giraffa 

G.c. angolensis 

Aalborg / DK 2.5 2.5 

Almaty / KZ 3.3 3.3 

Amersfoort / NL 1.0 3.0 3.0 7.0 

Amsterdam / NL 3.1 3.1 

Antwerp / BE 0.3 0.1 0.4 

Arnhem / NL 6.13 6.13 

Attica / GR 3.0 1.0 4.0 

Augsburg / DE 1.2 1.1 2.3 

Bandholm / DK 1.4 0.3 0.1 1.8 

Banham / GB 1.5 1.5 

Barcelona / ES 3.2 3.2 

Basel / CH 0.4 0.4 

Belfast / GB 0.1 1.4 1.5 

Berlin, Tierp / DE 0.1 1.5 1.6 

Berlin, Zoo / DE 1.2 1.2 

Bewdley / GB 1.0 5.2 6.2 

*Blackpool / GB 1.3 1.3 

Boras / SE 1.3 1.3 

Bratislava / CR 2.0 1.0 3.0 

Brno / CZ 1.2 1.2 

Budapest / HU 1.3 1.3 

Bussolengo / IT 1.0 3.0 4.0 

Cabarceno / ES 6.0 6.0 

Cambron / BE 3.0 3.0 

Champrépus / FR 2.0 1.0 3.0 

Chester / GB 1.1 0.5 1.6 

Colchester / GB 1.0 1.0 1.0 3.0 

Coulange / FR 3.0 3.0 

Dalton-Furness/GB 3.0 3.0 1.0 7.0 

Debrecen / HU 2.0 2.0 

Deigné / BE 2.1 0.1 2.2 

Dompierre / FR 1.1 0.1 1.2 

Dortmund / DE 3.5 3.5 

Doué-Fontaine / FR 1.6 1.6 

G.c. tippelskirchi 

G.c. reticulata 

G.c. rothschildi 

G.c. hybrids 

G.c. unk subspecies 

Total 

8


Institution 


G.c. giraffa 


*Dresden / DE 1.0 1.0 2.0 

Dubai-Safa_NE / AE 6.5 6.5 

Dubai-WC / AE 0.3 0.3 

Dublin / IE 1.2 1.2 2.4 

Dudley / GB 0.3 0.1 0.4 

Duisburg / DE 2.3 2.3 

Dvur-Kralove /CR(2) 4.13 4.12 8.25 

*Ebeltoft / DK 0.2 0.3 0.5 

Emmen / NL 1.7 1.7 

Erfurt / DE 1.0 0.1 1.1 

Estepona / ES 2.1 2.1 

Falconara / IT 2.0 2.0 

Fota / IE 2.7 0.2 2.9 

Frankfurt / DE 1.5 1.5 

*Gdansk / PL 2.0 2.0 

Gelsenkirchen/DE 2.5 2.5 

Givskud / DK 3.5 1.0 4.5 

Hamburg / DE 1.2 1.2 

Hannover / DE 2.3 2.3 

Hilvarenbeek / NL 1.11 1.11 

Ieper / BE 1.2 1.2 

Jaderberg_NE / DE 2.3 2.3 

Jerez / ES 1.2 1.2 

Jerusalem / IS 3.5 3.5 

Jurques / FR 2.3 2.3 

Karlsruhe / DE 1.4 1.4 

Katowice / PL 2.0 2.0 

Kaunas / LT 1.0 1.0 2.0 

Kerkrade / NL 1.3 1.3 

Kessingland/GB 0.4 0.4 

Kiriat-Motzkin/ IL 1.0 1.0 

Knowsley / GB 3.0 3.0 

Kobenhavn / DK 2.3 2.3 

Kolmarden / SE 0.4 0.4 

Koln / DE 2.5 2.5 

Krenglbach / AT 1.1 1.1 




G.c. hybrids 


Total 

9


Institution 


G.c. giraffa 


Kristiansand / NO 1.0 1.0 0.1 2.1 

Kronberg / DE (2) 2.4 2.4 

Kyiv / UA 3.0 3.0 

La Boissiere / FR 1.2 1.2 

La Fleche / FR 1.2 0.2 1.4 

Leipzig / DE 2.8 2.8 

Liberec / CR 2.6 2.6 

Lignano / IT 1.1 1.1 

Lisbon / ES 3.6 3.6 

Lisieux / FR 1.0 1.0 2.0 4.0 

Ljubljana / SI 2.0 3.0 5.0 

Lodz / PL 1.1 1.1 

London / GB 0.3 0.3 

Lympne / GB 3.0 1.1 4.1 

Lyon / FR 1.2 0.2 1.4 

Madrid / ES 2.0 2.0 

Magdeburg / DE 1.2 1.2 

Malton / GB (2) 2.3 2.3 

Marwell / GB 1.1 3.5 4.6 

Maubeuge_NE/FR 2.1 2.1 

Moskva / RU (2) 0.4 1.0 1.4 

Munich / DE 2.2 2.2 

Munster / DE 1.2 1.2 

Muzillac / FR 2.0 2.0 

Neunkirchen / DE 2.0 1.0 3.0 

Nuremberg / DE 2.4 2.4 

Nyiregyhaza / HU 1.0 0.3 1.3 

Odense / DK 1.0 1.0 

Olomouc / CR 3.10 3.10 

Opole / PL 2.3 2.3 

Osnabrück / DE 1.3 2.1 3.4 

Ostrava / CR 2.3 2.3 

Paignton / GB 1.2 1.2 

Palic / YU 1.0 0.1 1.1 

Paris-Zoo / FR 4.11 4.11 

Peaugres / FR (2) 2.1 1.3 3.4 

Pelissane / FR 3.4 3.4 

Pessac_NE / FR 1.3 1.3 




G.c. hybrids 


Total 

10


Institution 


G.c. giraffa 


*Pistoia / IT 1.1 1.1 

*Planckendael / BE 1.4 1.4 

Pleugueneuc / FR 1.0 0.1 1.1 2.2 

Plock / PL 1.2 1.2 

Pont-Scorff / FR 2.0 1.0 1.0 4.0 

Port St Père_NE / FR 2.3 2.3 

Poznan / PL 1.0 0.2 1.2 

Praha / CR 5.9 5.9 

Rhenen / NL 1.2 1.2 

Riga / LV 3.0 3.0 

Rishon Le Zion_NE/IL 0.2 0.2 

Roma / IT 1.4 1.4 

Romanèche / FR 1.1 1.1 

Rotterdam / NL 1.6 1.6 

Rostov_NE / RU 0.1 0.1 

Royan / FR 1.0 0.3 1.3 

Saarbrücken / DE 0.1 1.0 1.1 

Sables-Olonne / FR 3.2 3.2 

Schwerin / DE 2.1 2.1 

Sigean / FR (3) 3.9 1.3 4.12 

St Aignan / FR 3.0 2.0 1.0 6.0 

St Petersburg /RU 0.1 0.1 0.2 

Stuttgart / DE 1.2 1.2 

*Tabernas / ES 1.0 1.0 2.0 

Tel Aviv / IL (2) 2.0 1.1 2.2 5.3 

Thoiry / FR 1.0 4.0 5.0 

Twycross / GB 1.2 1.2 

Usti / CR 2.5 2.5 

Valencia Bio / ES 1.1 0.2 1.3 

Vienna / AT 1.0 1.2 2.2 

Warminster /GB 1.10 1.10 

Warsaw / PL 2.3 2.3 

Whipsnade / GB 3.2 3.2 

Woburn / GB 4.6 4.6 

Wroclaw / PL (2) 1.0 2.1 3.1 

Zlin / CR 1.1 0.2 1.3 




G.c. hybrids 


Total 

# = no reply received 

* = new participant 

(2) or (3): number of separate enclosures / facilities if more than one 

11



G.c. giraffa 


Institution 

TOTAL GIRAFFES 

# at end of 2008 68 42 20 5 118 310 142 47 754 

# at end of 2007 62 43 19 7 113 283 151 47 725 

# at end of 2006 63 41 16 8 110 253 142 46 679 

# at end of 2005 57 35 17 7 98 243 139 46 642 

# at end of 2004 53 33 17 10 101 217 142 57 630 

# at end of 2003 51 32 19 13 99 205 133 55 607 

# at end of 2002 52 18 20 16 92 207 118 45 568 


% at end of 2008 9% 6% 3% 1% 16% 41% 19% 6% 100% 

% at end of 2007 9% 6% 3% 1% 16% 39% 21% 6% 100% 

% at end of 2006 9% 6% 2% 1% 16% 37% 21% 7% 100% 

% at end of 2005 8% 5% 3% 1% 15% 38% 22% 7% 100% 

% at end of 2004 8% 5% 3% 2% 16% 34% 23% 9% 100% 

% at end of 2003 8% 5% 3% 2% 16% 34% 22% 9% 100% 

% at end of 2002 9% 3% 4% 3% 16% 36% 21% 8% 100% 



G.c. hybrids 


Total 

Sh are (% ) 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Development of share of Giraffe subspecies 

since initiation of Giraffe EEP 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 

1999 

2000 

2001 

2002 

2003 

2004 

2005 

2006 

2007 

2008 

As of end of 

G.c. 

rothschildi 

G.c. 

hybrids 

G.c. 

reticulata 

G.c. 

antiquorum 

G.c. 

giraffa 

G.c. 

angolensis 

G.c. 

tippelskirchi 

12

Remarks on developments during 2008: 

The total population of giraffes included in the Giraffe EEP increased by only 3% (29 animals) till 

754 animals. This is much lower than in 2007, when the EEP grew with 6% (46 giraffes). 

However, this is not as bad as it sounds at the first sight. In the first place a growth of 3% is 

enough to fill all additional spaces in the EEP; more important is that the reduced growth is mostly 

realised by a strong (6%) decrease in the population of hybrids; they now comprise ‘only’ 25% of 

the population; this was 27% at the end of 2007. Currently more measures are being undertaken 

to further slow down the reproduction of hybrids by actively placing as many hybrids as possible 

in single sex groups. This development is expected to continue and go faster in the future as more 

and more hybrids are being excluded from reproduction and placed in single sex groups. For that 

reason single sex groups of hybrids will be needed also in the near future. 

The number of institutions participating in the Giraffe EEP increased by six till 143 during 2008. 

Dresden/DE and Gdansk/PL started with an all male group, while Blackpool/GB and Ebeltoft/DK 

started keeping a group of hybrid females. Planckendael/BE is also a new participant; they 

received the breeding group of Antwerp but as part of the deal Antwerp received a hybrid female 

group as well. Tabernas / ES is a new member of EAZA and is keeping an all male group. No 

institutions gave up keeping giraffes. 

The EAZA Giraffe and Antelope TAG decided in 2003 to keep all subspecies of giraffes 

separated, although it could not be proved that Kordofan and Nigerian giraffes are two subspecies. 

During 2007 research proved that it are indeed two subspecies, but, more important, all so-called 

Nigerian giraffes turned out to be Kordofan giraffes, and this also applies to the crossbreeds of 

these two populations. The holders of giraffes of this subspecies and the Species Committee 

decided to accept the results of this scientific study and this was proposed to the EAZA Giraffe & 

Antelope TAG, who also accepted it. So from this moment on all former Nigerian giraffes, 

Kordofan giraffes as well as their crossbreeds are listed as Kordofan giraffes. 

Therefore the Giraffe EEP is split up into six groups: 

A. The Kordofan giraffes 

B. The Southern giraffes (Cape and Angolan giraffes) 

C. The Masai giraffes 

D. The Reticulated giraffes 

E. The Baringo giraffes 

F. The hybrid giraffes and giraffes of unknown origin. 

13

Age distribution 

As one can see on the age distribution printed below, it has a quite healthy ‘pyramid shape’. 

However, the number of females exceeds the number of males (297 males, 451 females), although 

slightly this is getting more equal. This can be declared by exports of males to non-EEP 

participants some years ago, as well as by the fact that male groups are in many cases being kept 

by less experienced institutions, and the mortality of giraffes is higher in new holders. The last 

years the number of males is increasing more rapidly than the number of females, due to the fact 

that no animals are allowed to leave the EEP. 

Age Pyramid Report GIRAFFE Studbook 

Status: Living on 1 Jan 2009 

GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS 

Age 

Males|Females 

--- N = 297 --------------- N = 451 

30- |X 

29- | 

28- | 

27- |XX 

26- |X 

25- |X 

24- X|X 

23- X|X 

22- X|X 

21- X|XXXX 

20- X|XX 

19- X|XXXXX 

18- X|XXX 

17- X|XX 

16- XX|XXXXX 

15- XXX|XXXXX 

14- XXXX|XXXXXX 

13- XXXX|XXXXXXXX 

12- XX|XXXXXXX 

11- XX|XXXXXXXXXXX 

10- XXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXXX 

9- XXXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXXX 

8- XXXXXXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXX 

7- XXXXXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXXXXX 

6- XXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXXXX 

5- XXXXXXXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

4- XXXXXXXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

3- XXXXXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

2- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

1- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX|XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

0- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX?|?XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 

48 40 32 24 16 8 8 16 24 32 40 48 

Number of Animals 

14

Husbandry and management guidelines 

In 2006 husbandry and management guidelines were published. The guidelines are written by 

specialists, each in his or her own area of specialisation: 

Nutrition: 

Transport: 

Veterinary issues: 

Husbandry: 

General items: 

Marcus Clauss, University of Zürich, Schwitzerland. 

Jürgen Hummel, University of Bonn, Germany. 

Zdenek Barta, Dvur Králové, Czech Republic. 

Jacques Kaandorp, Hilvarenbeek, the Netherlands 

Ludek Culik, Dvur Králové, Czech Republic. 

Waltraut Zimmermann, Köln, Germany. 

Marc Damen, Arnhem, the Netherlands. 

Günther Schleussner, Stuttgart, Germany. 

Kristina Tomasova, Dvur Králové, Czech Republic. 

These guidelines were distributed to all participants in the Giraffe EEP in electronic form and also 

published on the member area of the EAZA website. They were amended by the Giraffe EEP 

Species Committee and therefore all participants in the Giraffe EEP are requested to follow these 

guidelines in the husbandry and management of giraffes. 

General actions for the year 2009 and later 

All pure giraffe females should be brought into a breeding situation as soon as possible; this 

means with a male of the same subspecies and without a male of another subspecies. 

More important is to further restrict the breeding of hybrid giraffes. The EEP is now slowly 

coming in the position that the production of pure giraffes can cope with the growth in spaces in 

the EEP; these additional places should be taken by pure giraffes only. The year 2009 will be 

mainly used to discuss with the new species committee if we can slowly put more restrictive 

measurements on the production of hybrids and to stop the production of hybrids. All of this needs 

to be done carefully to avoid empty giraffe enclosures. 

As already stated last year, we should avoid that hybrid males are in a breeding situation. In those 

exceptional cases where hybrid females are still breeding, they should do so with pure males. That 

way pure males can be ‘tested’ for their reproductive capabilities and in case there would be pure 

females available for this institution in the future, they already have a pure male. All hybrid males 

should be placed in bachelor groups. 

In new, inexperienced, institutions the mortality of giraffes turns out to be higher than in 

experienced institutions. This can be declared by the fact that the keepers and staff are less 

experienced with giraffes and the facilities have not yet been tested by giraffes. For that reason all 

new institutions have to start with a single sex group, either males, or hybrid females, to gain 

experience. Once gained positive experience and if females become available at a certain point, 

one could switch to a breeding group. It would not be fair if new institutions start with a breeding 

group, while others, who already gained experience and who followed the recommendations, have 

to stick to a bachelor group. Please be prepared to wait long before getting a breeding group of 

pure giraffes; there are already over 30 institutions waiting in line at the moment and please be 

aware we will always need single sex groups to control the development of the population. 

Still a few institutions are transporting giraffes without approval of the Giraffe EEP to non-EEP 

participants. As one can see on the next page, there are many alternative destinations within the 

Giraffe EEP. As in previous years, all transfers that have not been approved by the Giraffe EEP 

will have to be reported to the Antelope and Giraffe TAG, in the interest of the Giraffe EEP and 

the institutions who are cooperating. 

15

EAZA Institutions currently keeping a single sex group or having their facilities ready to accept 

giraffes of a single sex: 

Institution Current subspecies Number as 

of end 2008 

Maximum 

Number 

Amersfoort / NL Baringo, retic, Kordofan 7.0 7.0 

Antwerp / BE Hybrid females 0.4 0.4 

Attica / GR Baringo, hybrids 4.0 4.0 

Blackpool / GB Hybrid females 1.3** 0.5 

Bratislava / SK Reticulata, baringo 3.0 3.0 

Bussolengo / IT Reticulata, hybrids 4.0 5.0 

Cabarceno / ES Baringo 6.0 6.0 

Cambron-Casteau / BE Hybrids 3.0 3.0 

Champrépus / FR Western, cape 3.0 3.0 

Colchester / GB Baringo, hybrids 3.0 3.0 

Coulange / FR Hybrids 3.0 4.0 

Dalton-Furness / GB Reticulata, baringo 7.0 7.0 

Debrecen / HU Reticulata 2.0 3.0 

Dresden / DE Baringo, Retic, Kordofan 2.0 3.0 

Ebeltoft / DK Hybrid females 0.5 0.7 

Falconara / IT Baringo, hybrids 2.0 3.0 

Gdansk / PL Hybrids, Baringo 2.0 4.0 

Katowice / PL Hybrids 2.0 4.0 

Kaunas / LT Hybrids 2.0 3.0 

Kessingland / GB Hybrids 0.4 0.4 

Knowsley / GB Hybrids 3.0 5.0 

Kyiv / UA Reticulata 3.0 3.0 

Kiriat-Motzkin / IL Cape, reticulata 1.0 3.0 

Lisieux / FR Peralta, cape, hybrids 4.0 5.0 

Ljubljana / SI Reticulata, Baringo 5.0 5.0 

London / GB Hybrid females 0.3 0.5 

Lympne / GB Hybrids 4.1*** 8.0 

Madrid / ES Baringo 2.0 0.0 

Malton / GB Hybrids 0.3 0.5 

Montpellier / FR No giraffes yet 0.0 4.0 

Muzillac / FR Western, Baringo 2.0 8.0 

Neunkirchen / DE Reticulated, Baringo 3.0 3.0 

Peaugres / FR Hybrids 1.3* 0.5 

Pessac_NE / FR Hybrids 1.3** 0.3 

Pont-Scorff / FR Baringo, hybrids 4.0 4.0 

Riga / LV Hybrids 3.0 4.0 

Rishon Le Zion_NE / IL Cape 0.2 0.2 

St Aignan / FR Reticulata, baringo, hybrids 6.0 6.0 

Tabernas / ES Reticulata 2.0 3.0 

Thoiry / FR Baringo 5.0 5.0 

TOTAL 40 single sex groups 104.31 119.40 

*: male castrated 

**: female arrived pregnant; male offspring should leave in spring 2010 

***: female will leave 2009 

16

Future holders 

So far, only one current member of EAZA, Montpellier/FR, will start keeping giraffes in 2009. 

They will start with a bachelor group of (maximum) four males. 

Furthermore several non-EAZA institutions are planning or building for giraffes. However, as 

EEPs are initiated for EAZA members and as our goal is to establish a sustainable population 

within EAZA, it will be clear that these non-EAZA institutions can not receive giraffes from the 

EAZA population for the time being. Especially if these institutions are situated within the EAZA 

region, the hybrid giraffe surplus will not be solved by sending them to non-EAZA institution, as 

these animals as well as their offspring, might return one day. The same happened years ago for 

example in the black-and-white ruffed lemur EEP (Varecia v. variegata). 

Several EAZA members showed interest to send girafes out of the EAZA region in exchange for 

other species. As the EAZA Giraffe EEP so far has had a ‘phase out’ policy for hybrids, this 

should be discussed with the new EAZA Giraffe Species Committee, which is elected in early 

2009. If we can exchange giraffes with institutions in other regions for other EEP animals, and if 

these other EEPs are benefiting from this, this option should be seriously considered, also because 

it is sure that these giraffes will never return in the program because of veterinary restrictions. 

With the new species committee these proposals will be discussed, if at all giraffes can be made 

available, and if positive, which individuals for which goal, of course in cooperation and with 

permission of other EEPs. 

17

Status and development of the European Studbook population 

Kordofan giraffes 

In 2007 a study proved that all giraffes in Europe formerly listed as Nigerian giraffes (Giraffa 

camelopardalis peralta), were in fact Kordofan giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum). 

Therefore both subpopulations were taken together in one Kordofan giraffe population, which now 

has a much brighter future in captivity. 

In 2008 the population of Kordofan giraffes did well in Europe. No less than ten (7.3) giraffes 

were born (1.0 DNS) and only three (2.1) died, resulting in a natural growth of 6 giraffes (10%). 

Ten giraffes (3.7) giraffes were transported between EAZA institutions; this includes also the 

complete group (1.4) of Antwerp Zoo, which was transported to Planckendael. Antwerp is now 

keeping a group of hybrid females. There is a lot of interest from institutions to start keeping this 

subspecies, like Dresden/DE and Montpellier/FR; both institutions will receive males for their 

bachelor group. 

As one can see, the population is doing well and despite the low number of founders (6) the 

prospects for this subspecies are not bad. Thanks to the fact that recently we could take together 

two groups of giraffes that were formerly kept separately as they were considered different 

subspecies, the gene diversity can increase considerably in the future. For this a strict management 

on EEP-level is required. With such a management this subspecies can survive in Europe. 

Genetic analysis for Kordofan giraffes 

End of End of Potential 

2008 2007 

Founders 6 6 0 additional 

Living descendants 67,50 61,25 - 

Percent Known 99,3 98,8 - 

Gene Diversity 0,7900 0,7900 0,8718 

Gene Value 0,7849 0,7851 - 

Founder Genome 2,38 2,38 3,90 

Equivalents 

Founder Genomes 3,90 3,89 3,90 

Surviving 

Mean Inbreeding (F) 0,1790 0,1841 - 

18

Cape giraffes 

Cape giraffes are being kept by nine participants; most of them are, although member of EAZA, quite 

isolated due to the distance to other EAZA members and the veterinary restrictions on transporting 

hoofstock to other regions of EAZA. 

During 2008 a total of seven (3.3.1) giraffes were born (1.1.1 DNS). Although the number of potential 

founders in the Cape giraffe population is high (the majority of the animals is still wildcaught and 

therefore potential founder), the prospects for this subspecies are not good. The institutions keeping 

this subspecies are scattered throughout all edges of Europe, from Moscow to Israel, from Dubai to 

the French coast. 

In 2008, apart from the neonatal death mentioned before, four more giraffes died. These giraffes are 

difficult to replace. Therefore it is clear that the future of this subspecies is uncertain for EAZA. There 

are four areas within the EAZA region where this subspecies is kept: the EU, Israel, 

Russia/Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates. All four regions can be considered as separate 

‘isles’ as there are hardly possibilities to exchange giraffes. In Israel and the UAE this subspecies has 

a chance to survive a few generations if the institutions within these regions cooperate closely. Within 

the EU this subspecies has no chance, unless Bergamo joins the giraffe EEP and starts to cooperate 

closely. At this moment we do not really need the space occupied by Cape giraffes for other 

subspecies, but this subspecies is not promoted by the Giraffe EEP. 

Genetic analysis for Cape giraffes 


2008 2007 


Living descendants 18,75 19 - 



Gene Value 0,9390 0,9359 - 


Equivalents 


Surviving 


19

Angolan giraffes 

The number of participants further decreased by one, as Neunkirchen lost their breeding male and the 

2007 born female. Subsequently they sent their two adult females back to Dortmund. Now only 

Dortmund/DE and Estepona/ES and Lisbon/PT are keeping this subspecies. In 2008 three male 

offspring were born at Dortmund and Lisbon, making the population a bit less fragile. 

Since two years Lisbon and Dortmund try to exchange males, in order to continue breeding at both 

locations. This exchange is delayed because of veterinary (blue tongue) problems but is now likely to 

take place in spring 2009. 

A close cooperation between the three holders is absolutely necessary not to lose this subspecies in 

the next five years. But even with a good cooperation between the three institutions, the prospects for 

this subspecies are not good. Inbreeding is not high yet (7%), but will increase rapidly in the next 

generation. At the moment these giraffes are not taking spaces from other subspecies, but it can not be 

recommended to establish more breeding groups at the moment. The young males might be suitable 

for a bachelor group for educational purposes; surplus females should go to Estepona, to increase the 

number of giraffes there. 

Genetic analysis for Angolan giraffes 


2008 2007 


Living descendants 18 17 - 

Percent Known 100 100 - 


Gene Value 0,8405 0,8440 - 


Equivalents 


Surviving 


20

Masai giraffes 

With only 1.4 related Masai giraffes in two isolated sub-regions the Masai giraffe population will go 

extinct in the EAZA region. As far as known no Masai giraffes are being kept in non-EAZA 

institutions within the region. Exchanges between Schwitzerland and Israel are unlikely because of 

veterinary reasons; it also does not make much sense from a genetical point of view, as the male in 

Kiriat-Motzkin/IL is related to the Swiss females. Both institutions are keeping Masai giraffes only 

and by this they will also not produce hybrids. Basel Zoo tries to import a male from the North 

America or Japan, but chances for this are low. The EEP is following the developments but not taking 

an active approach in this matter. 

Genetic analysis for Masai giraffes 


2008 2007 





Gene Value 0,5924 0,5472 - 


Equivalents 


Surviving 


21

Reticulated giraffes 

In 2008 the population of Reticulated giraffes increased only by three individuals (3%), which is just 

the growth of the whole EEP (all subspecies including hybrids). As the hybrid population decreased, 

the growth in Reticulated giraffes is lower than in the other pure subspecies. This can be declared by 

the high death rate in 2008; no less than 14 giraffes died, but fortunately the majority were older 

males. Although the population did not grow as fast in the past year, and although the avarage 

inbreeding slightly increased and the gene diversity slightly decreased, this subspecies has a bright 

future. The number of females increased considerably, which is good for a faster growth of the 

population. 

In 2008 no less than 20 (9.11) Reticulated giraffes were born in 12 institutions, double the number of 

2007 and the highest number of reticulated births ever. Three (2.1) neonates did not survive; this is 

only 15%. A total of 14 (7.7) giraffes were moved between EEP-participants and no Reticulated 

giraffes left the EEP. Fourteen (10.4) giraffes died in 11 institutions. 

Of the 33 institutions currently keeping this subspecies, 17 are keeping a breeding group, 15 are 

keeping only Reticulated giraffe males (either in a bachelor group or with hybrid females) and one 

institution is keeping only a female Reticulated giraffe without a male (a 27 year old female at St 

Petersburg). 

Genetic analysis for Reticulated giraffes 


2008 2007 





Gene Value 0,9394 0,9404 - 


Equivalents 


Surviving 


22

Baringo Giraffes 

This subspecies comprises the biggest group in this EEP; 41% of all giraffes are Baringo giraffes. The 

population was growing rapidly in the past years and 2008 was no exception to this. Thanks to 46 

births and 24 deaths the population increased by 8% (22 animals). 

A total of 46 (24.21.1) Baringo giraffes were born of which 9 (5.3.1) did not survive (20%). 

No less than 42 (26.16) animals were moved between EEP participants; these transports were all 

approved by the EEP. Sixteen (6.10) Baringo giraffes died. All of this caused a net increase of the 

population by 22 (13.9) giraffes. At the end of 2008 there were 308 (122.186) Baringo giraffes held at 

72 institutions. 

Several institutions are still keeping a pure group plus some hybrid females. The first goal of the 

Giraffe EEP goal is to send these hybrid females to other places and replace them by pure females; for 

that reason the number of new holders of a breeding group will be restricted the coming years. 

The population is quite healthy, deriving from 44 founders, acquired from the wild in the early 

seventies. However, in those early days many Baringo giraffes, especially in safariparks, were mixed 

with giraffes of other subspecies; this seems to be especially the case in the United Kingdom. As a 

result of this, the subspecific status of several giraffes is doubtful. The EEP has to use a conservative 

approach: as long as the subspecific status is not completely cleared, it is considered to be as of 

unknown subspecific status. In the near future this especially needs to be discussed with several 

institutions on the British Isles, keeping one or two pure Baringo giraffes and also some hybrids. 

Some of them defenitely need to do a step back, in order for the whole EEP to further evoluate. This 

will be the challenge for the near future. 

Genetic analysis for Baringo giraffes 


2008 2007 





Gene Value 0,9576 0,9572 - 


Equivalents 


Surviving 


23

Hybrid Giraffes and Giraffes of unknown origin 

The major achievement in the giraffe EEP during 2008 was without doubt the decrease in the 

population of hybrid and unknown origin giraffes; this decreased by no less than 11 animals (6%)! 

This is the result of the strategy to place as many hybrids and unknown origin giraffes as possible 

outside breeding situations. In the past years the growth already slowed down and eventually also 

stopped, but 2008 is the year where the phasing out also can be seen in the figures. 

Still 28 (11.17) giraffes were born in this category, of which eleven (4.7) did not survive (39%). A 

total of 22 (6.16) were moved between EAZA institutions. Four giraffes (3.1) left the EEP. Finally 18 

(4.14) hybrid and unknown origin giraffes died. 

It is tried to determine the subspecific status of the unknown origin giraffes to reduce their number. 

Furthermore it is the goal to phase out the hybrids by reducing their reproduction by establishing 

single sex groups. In 2005 for the first time the number of hybrid and unknown origin giraffes 

decreased. That could not be continued in 2006 and 2007, but the growth was in both years lower than 

the growth of the total population. In 2008 a net decrease was again realised. This is expected to 

continue and go faster in the years to come. In 2008 a lot of hybrids were placed in single sex groups 

in Antwerp/BE, Blackpool/GB, Dalton-in-Furness/GB, Ebeltoft/DK, Gdansk/PL, Lisieux/FR, 

Malton/GB, Peaugres/FR and Riga/LV and therefore less and less of these giraffes are in breeding 

situation. 

As at the moment the populations of Baringo giraffes, Reticulated giraffes and Kordofan giraffes are 

doing well and as the number of new holders is not increasing that fast anymore, we need to decrease 

the hybrid giraffe population as soon as possible, by removing as many hybrids as possible from a 

breeding situation and replace them by pure giraffes. It needs to be stated that the problem is a bit 

smaller than it seems, as several hybrid females are under birth control, like PZP. 

24

European studbook for the giraffe eep

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