Did you know that even giraffe can be sensitive to some pollens and get hay fever?!
Acacia (a wattle species of which there are hundreds of different varieties) is found throughout the world, including in Africa, and is a mainstay and favourite food for giraffe.
However, one winter-flowering species (now off the menu for Auckland Zoo’s giraffe along with all other acacia for the next few months) was giving female Rukiya (22) hay fever – causing her to cough and sneeze. As anyone who is allergic to certain pollens and suffers from hay fever will appreciate, it’s not pleasant!
“Rukiya, who is in great health for an elderly giraffe, is absolutely fine now that we’ve identified the problem and removed this plant from her and the other giraffes’ diet,” says the Zoo’s ungulate team keeper Vicky.
“With acacia now off the menu, we are just in need of some of more alternative vegetation for these towering herbivores that chomp through a lot of browse (3 – 4 truckloads each week!), and are hoping that our wonderful local community might be able to help.
“Specifically, we are after branches of fresh, pesticide and spray-free puka, olive, feijoa and guava. As this vegetation needs to be fresh for the giraffe, and so that we are not overloaded with too much all at once, it’s best if people contact the Zoo in advance,” explains Vicky.
