Elephants have always been well-known for their extremely pronounced social behaviours and strong sense of family, but British researchers have demonstrated that giraffes are in fact equally as complex in their habits.
A recently published study by the University of Bristol demonstrates that the social structure of these giant herbivores is actually far more complex than previously believed.
According to the study, the giraffe social network is characterised by strong bonds between the females and their offspring even after the reproductive phase, with “grandmother giraffes” helping to look after giraffes two generations younger.
The discovery of complex, multi-layered association structures contrasts with the long-standing belief that giraffes have no social structure, the authors say.
“It’s amazing that such an iconic, large and charismatic African species has been misunderstood for so long,” says Zoe Miller, co-author of the study published in the British journal Mammal Review.
Miller hopes that her work will help reshape the image of the giraffe as an intelligent and social creature and, in so doing, contribute to their long-term survival.
According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), giraffe populations have declined by up to 40 per cent in the past 30 years. In total, there are fewer than 70,000 giraffes of all species left in the wild – and the trend is downward.
The organisation therefore upgraded the mighty ruminants’ threat level from “endangered” to “threatened” in 2016.
