Training giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) for front foot radiographs and hoof care

For a large herd of reticulated giraffes, a mainly operant‐based training program was created for front foot radiographs and hoof trims in an effort to diagnose and better manage lameness. Behaviors were shaped in a restricted contact set‐up, using a positive reinforcement procedure to teach a serie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zoo biology 2016-05, Vol.35 (3), p.228-236
Main Authors: Dadone, Liza I., Schilz, Amy, Friedman, Susan G., Bredahl, Jason, Foxworth, Steve, Chastain, Bob
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Husbandry - methods
Animals
Animals, Zoo - physiology
Animals, Zoo - psychology
Behavior, Animal - physiology
foot radiographs
Giraffes - physiology
Giraffes - psychology
Hoof and Claw - diagnostic imaging
hoof care
lameness
operant training
Osteoarthritis
Radiography - veterinary
restricted contact
Training
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Summary:For a large herd of reticulated giraffes, a mainly operant‐based training program was created for front foot radiographs and hoof trims in an effort to diagnose and better manage lameness. Behaviors were shaped in a restricted contact set‐up, using a positive reinforcement procedure to teach a series of mastered cued behaviors. This training was used to obtain lateral and lateral oblique front foot radiographs for the entire herd. Radiographs were diagnostic for multiple possible causes of lameness including fractures and osteitis of the distal phalangeal bone, hoof overgrowth, osteoarthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint, rotation of the distal phalangeal bone, sesamoid bone cysts, and sole foreign bodies. By training giraffe for foot radiographs and hoof trims, potential causes of lameness could be identified and better managed. Long‐term, the results may help zoos identify best practices for managing and preventing lameness in giraffe. Zoo Biol. 35:228–236, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISSN:0733-3188
1098-2361
DOI:10.1002/zoo.21279