Has a heart that, in order to maintain the high blood pressures, has a high energy and therefore oxygen requirement. If the breathing is impaired, the heart soon fails. There is also considerable resistance to air movement through the long respiratory tract. While an immobilized giraffe may appear to be breathing, it may not be getting sufficient oxygen. Has the thickest skin of all ungulates.
Precautions Have all equipment, ropes, and personnel ready before attempting to dart a giraffe.
Have the antidote ready for administration the moment the animal is down. Keep out of range of the feet of a giraffe that has been given an antidote, or any giraffe that is not satisfactorily immobilized. How to capture the giraffe Equipment Powerful, long-range projectors are needed. The needle should have a bead or a low barb. Use a shorter, thinner needle for young giraffes.