Foot shape and radiographs of free-ranging Nubian giraffe in Uganda

PLoS One. 2021 Dec 16;16(12):e0252929. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252929. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Foot health in zoo giraffe has been a topic of recent research, although little is known about the foot health of free-ranging giraffe. This study describes the foot shape and radiographic pathological changes in 27 young adult Nubian giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis) from a translocation in Uganda (August 2017). Giraffe feet were observed to have a concave sole, the hoof wall was longest by the toe tip, and the weight-bearing surface of the foot was primarily along the periphery of the foot including hoof wall, parts of the heel, and the edge of the sole. Radiographs showed that pedal osteitis and sesamoid bone cysts were relatively uncommon (3/24 giraffe with osteitis, 1/24 giraffe with sesamoid cysts), and that no giraffe in the study had P3 joint osteoarthritis, P3 rotation, or P3 fractures. Radiographs consistently demonstrated a positive palmar/plantar angle with the sole of the hoof thicker at the heel than by the toe tip, with the non weight-bearing palmar/plantar angle measuring 1.6°- 4.3°. This is the first systematic review of foot shape and radiographs in free-ranging giraffe and demonstrates a low prevalence of foot pathologies. This study suggests qualitative differences in foot shape, foot health, radiographic anatomy, and foot pathologies when comparing free-ranging and zoo giraffe. Further research is needed to identify why these differences occur and whether husbandry modifications could help improve zoo giraffe foot health and prevent associated lameness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Giraffes*
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Lower Extremity / diagnostic imaging*
  • Osteitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Osteitis / veterinary
  • Uganda

Grants and funding

The giraffe foot assessment and radiograph study was made possible thanks to the combined generous support of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the Mrs. Rae Gamble Foundation, and 236 crowdfunding supporters at Experiment.com who funded “Fancy footwork: How different are the feet of zoo and wild giraffe?” (https://experiment.com/projects/advances-in-giraffe-podiatry-are-wild-giraffe-feet-different-from-those-of-zoo-giraffe). Thank you also to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the Metzger Foundation, and the Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance for funding the giraffe translocation. Aside from co-authors who donated to the crowdfunding project, no other funders had a role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.