Resources and Habitat Requirements for Giraffes’ (Giraffa camelopardalis) Diet Selection in the Northwestern Kalahari, South Africa

SIMPLE SUMMARY: To ensure successful introductions and translocations of giraffes, more scientific information is needed on their diet selections, especially concerning the availability of browsing material. To our knowledge, this 15-month study is one of the first to assess giraffe diet selection by fitting global positioning system collars on this species to monitor the spatial distribution and identify the most utilised vegetation and areas. The study population resided in the Khamab Kalahari Nature Reserve in the northwestern Kalahari region of South Africa. The results indicated the clear utilisation of specific plant species of specific areas during different seasons and between different vegetation types and species. This study provides innovative information to understand better how this giraffe population from the northwestern Kalahari region has adapted its diet selections, especially when compared to other giraffe populations from different regions. ABSTRACT: Diet selection concerning browse availability of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) was studied over 15 months in an arid environment in South Africa. A global positioning system collar was fitted to a giraffe individual to assess the specific areas, consisting of different vegetation types, that the population utilised during different seasons. Results are provided on diet selection in relation to browse availability between seasons and vegetation types, including tree densities and the amount of the total evapotranspiration tree equivalents. Diet selections of the giraffe population changed in response to the availability of browse material from July to October. The availability of important resource areas had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the spatial ecology, and an increase in home range size was noted. Information that is important for the well-being of giraffes was identified. This included nutritional stress and the limited variety of the most utilised tree species available for browsing, especially during critical dry periods. The results demonstrate the importance of assessment of giraffes’ diet selection in relation to browse availability, especially before introduction to a new area, to limit the lack of population growth and underperformance. This study provides valuable information towards understanding the resources and habitats required for successful giraffe management.