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journal article Feb 01, 2024

Giraffe productivity and calf survival in a savannah area outside an east African protected area: Implications for conservation

C. Dustin Becker ORCID Petra Elisabeth Campbell Leslie Ann Kadane Reuben Kilutori Nagut David Limpaso Kinata Henry C. Stevens
African Journal of Ecology Vol. 62 No. 2 · Wiley
View at Publisher Save 10.1111/aje.13265
Abstract
AbstractProtection of nursery areas where newborn survival is successful is critical to recovery of endangered mammals. In Kenya, 2014 to 2022, we surveyed Endangered Masai giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) on the Siria Plateau at Oloirien Group Ranch (OGR) and Oloisukut Conservancy (OC), and in the Rift Valley's Mara Triangle Conservancy (MTC). MTC and OC have high lion densities while OGR does not. Using counts and photographic mark‐recapture (PMR), we estimated percentages of newborn (<3 months) and juvenile giraffe calves (<1 year) per adult female and per total giraffes sampled. Cormack‐Jolly‐Seber models were used to estimate annual survival of giraffes at OGR. The mean percentage of newborn calves: adult female at OGR (~18%) was significantly higher than at OC (3.3%) and MTC (0%). The mean juvenile: adult female percentage at the Siria Plateau sites was 62 ± 12.8% versus 12% in MTC. Total juvenile calves averaged 22% on the plateau, four times higher than MTC (5.3%). At OGR, giraffe survival for all ages and sexes was 0.86, higher than protected areas with lions. Only one female giraffe in 229 used both plateau sites, suggesting independent matrilines. Human‐populated savannah next to reserves contributes to giraffe recovery, but nursery areas like OGR need robust protection.
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Citations
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References
Details
Published
Feb 01, 2024
Vol/Issue
62(2)
License
View
Authors
C
C. Dustin Becker

Life Net Nature Havana Florida USA

P
Petra Elisabeth Campbell

Private Biological Consultant Hannover Germany

L
Leslie Ann Kadane

Primate Global Foundation Seattle Washington USA

R
Reuben Kilutori Nagut

Maasai Moran Conservation and Walking Safaris Narok Kenya

D
David Limpaso Kinata

Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association Narok Kenya

H
Henry C. Stevens

Department of Biology Georgetown University Washington District of Columbia USA

Cite This Article
C. Dustin Becker, Petra Elisabeth Campbell, Leslie Ann Kadane, et al. (2024). Giraffe productivity and calf survival in a savannah area outside an east African protected area: Implications for conservation. African Journal of Ecology, 62(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.13265
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