Concern rises over giraffe deaths
Wildlife Vets Namibia has once again urged farmers to provide samples and complete their survey, as the country experiences a high mortality rate among giraffes, with some farms reporting more than twenty deaths.
Wildlife Vets stated that since mid-April, many concerned farmers have reported unusually high giraffe mortality on their farms.
Farmers have reported finding dead giraffes, with some noting that only adult individuals are affected, while others have observed cases among young females.
“Some farmers have observed giraffes being sick or displaying abnormal behaviour. These observations have ranged from a few hours to seven days.”
Physical signs
According to Wildlife Vets, many farmers observing sick giraffes reported drooping or hanging ears. A few noted excessive drooling and discharge from the eyes, while some said the giraffes appeared blind.
Two giraffes were noted to have skin lesions. Other reports described giraffes standing motionless in the bush, showing no response to approaching vehicles or other giraffes. Some farmers said the animals appeared ‘drunk’, stumbling over bushes and fences.
Wildlife Vets said reports indicate that the affected area is extensive.
“We have received reports of mortalities from the west and north of Okahandja, extending to the Omaruru and Waterberg areas. Several reports have also come from farms southwest, south, and east of Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park, Outjo, and stretching towards Maroelaboom.”
The veterinary service expressed concern about the high number and widespread nature of the mortalities.
“Some farms report more than 15 to 20 carcasses. Just on the few farms north of Okahandja, an estimated 20 to 25 giraffes have been found dead.”
They added that the actual number may be higher, as not all carcasses are discovered or reported.
What can you do?
Wildlife Vets said that farmers need to help determine the cause of the giraffe deaths.
“In the case of a sick giraffe or a fresh carcass less than 12 hours old, please phone us.”
If that's not possible, Wildlife Vets said they can come out to perform a post-mortem examination.
“We are ideally looking for a sick giraffe that we can dart, collect blood samples from, and then euthanise. This will allow us to gather fresh samples to send to Onderstepoort for a range of tests.”
This will be done free of charge.
If they cannot visit the farm, they will attempt to arrange for a colleague to attend.
“If no veterinarian can perform the post-mortem, we will ask you to wear gloves, take photos of the carcass, and document anything abnormal.”
For a fresh carcass, it will need to be opened up and photographed. Check the rumen for bones.
“In the case of a fresh carcass, cut off the head and send it to Windhoek on ice – not frozen. Speak to your vet about this.”
Wildlife Vets said their goal is to gather as many samples as possible to understand the cause of these deaths.
“So far, we have conducted three post-mortem examinations. We have also received samples from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.”
They reported that their first post-mortem did not reveal much, except for an abscess in the heart.
The second case involved a sick giraffe heifer, which displayed several typical symptoms such as standing in bushes, showing no fear of people, and discharge from the eyes. “We immobilised her, took blood samples, and euthanised her.”
The post-mortem revealed several notable findings: opaque eyes, some skin lesions, no fat reserves, and lumps on the lungs.
The third case involved a giraffe bull that had been ill for some time, though it is unclear if this case is related. The bull had a swollen carpal joint, severe lung pathology, and several lesions around the aorta.
Two other veterinarians also performed post-mortems. One reported signs resembling a clostridial infection (rooiderm), and the other noted lung and small intestine abnormalities.
Three giraffes have been tested for rabies – all returned negative results.
Wildlife Vets stressed the importance of obtaining more samples to determine a diagnosis and identify any common pathology among the cases.
“We urgently need sick giraffes or carcasses that have died within 12 hours. If you encounter one, please contact us immediately.”
They warned that any unexplained deaths, especially in large numbers across such a widespread area, should be treated as a serious concern.
“At this stage, this condition seems to affect only giraffes. However, since the underlying cause is unknown, we cannot rule out transmission to other species.”
Wildlife Vets stated that since mid-April, many concerned farmers have reported unusually high giraffe mortality on their farms.
Farmers have reported finding dead giraffes, with some noting that only adult individuals are affected, while others have observed cases among young females.
“Some farmers have observed giraffes being sick or displaying abnormal behaviour. These observations have ranged from a few hours to seven days.”
Physical signs
According to Wildlife Vets, many farmers observing sick giraffes reported drooping or hanging ears. A few noted excessive drooling and discharge from the eyes, while some said the giraffes appeared blind.
Two giraffes were noted to have skin lesions. Other reports described giraffes standing motionless in the bush, showing no response to approaching vehicles or other giraffes. Some farmers said the animals appeared ‘drunk’, stumbling over bushes and fences.
Wildlife Vets said reports indicate that the affected area is extensive.
“We have received reports of mortalities from the west and north of Okahandja, extending to the Omaruru and Waterberg areas. Several reports have also come from farms southwest, south, and east of Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park, Outjo, and stretching towards Maroelaboom.”
The veterinary service expressed concern about the high number and widespread nature of the mortalities.
“Some farms report more than 15 to 20 carcasses. Just on the few farms north of Okahandja, an estimated 20 to 25 giraffes have been found dead.”
They added that the actual number may be higher, as not all carcasses are discovered or reported.
What can you do?
Wildlife Vets said that farmers need to help determine the cause of the giraffe deaths.
“In the case of a sick giraffe or a fresh carcass less than 12 hours old, please phone us.”
If that's not possible, Wildlife Vets said they can come out to perform a post-mortem examination.
“We are ideally looking for a sick giraffe that we can dart, collect blood samples from, and then euthanise. This will allow us to gather fresh samples to send to Onderstepoort for a range of tests.”
This will be done free of charge.
If they cannot visit the farm, they will attempt to arrange for a colleague to attend.
“If no veterinarian can perform the post-mortem, we will ask you to wear gloves, take photos of the carcass, and document anything abnormal.”
For a fresh carcass, it will need to be opened up and photographed. Check the rumen for bones.
“In the case of a fresh carcass, cut off the head and send it to Windhoek on ice – not frozen. Speak to your vet about this.”
Wildlife Vets said their goal is to gather as many samples as possible to understand the cause of these deaths.
“So far, we have conducted three post-mortem examinations. We have also received samples from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.”
They reported that their first post-mortem did not reveal much, except for an abscess in the heart.
The second case involved a sick giraffe heifer, which displayed several typical symptoms such as standing in bushes, showing no fear of people, and discharge from the eyes. “We immobilised her, took blood samples, and euthanised her.”
The post-mortem revealed several notable findings: opaque eyes, some skin lesions, no fat reserves, and lumps on the lungs.
The third case involved a giraffe bull that had been ill for some time, though it is unclear if this case is related. The bull had a swollen carpal joint, severe lung pathology, and several lesions around the aorta.
Two other veterinarians also performed post-mortems. One reported signs resembling a clostridial infection (rooiderm), and the other noted lung and small intestine abnormalities.
Three giraffes have been tested for rabies – all returned negative results.
Wildlife Vets stressed the importance of obtaining more samples to determine a diagnosis and identify any common pathology among the cases.
“We urgently need sick giraffes or carcasses that have died within 12 hours. If you encounter one, please contact us immediately.”
They warned that any unexplained deaths, especially in large numbers across such a widespread area, should be treated as a serious concern.
“At this stage, this condition seems to affect only giraffes. However, since the underlying cause is unknown, we cannot rule out transmission to other species.”
