| Abstract: | A squeeze cage at Woodland Park Zoo has become a valuable tool in giraffe management. The cage has been used 63 times in 4 years with no serious injuries to animals or personnel. Conditioning the giraffes to the cage is of foremost importance in planning a successful restraining procedure. Individual giraffes react differently to the stress of being confined, so careful monitoring of behavior throughout is imperative to anticipate and prevent potential problems. Staff should be fully trained in the use of the equipment and familiar with the temperament of the giraffe. The cage is used for hoof trimming and routine medical examinations, including blood collection, X-rays, and giving injections. |
