Giraffe Feeding CLOSED

THE GIRAFFE YARD

*giraffe being out and giraffe feed are weather, maintenance, and animal health & participation depending*

Masai giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) can be found across central and southern Kenya and south into Tanzania. These mammals have large, distinctive, dark brown, vine-leaf shaped, jagged spots interspersed by creamy-brown irregular lines. Just like human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same coat pattern. In the wild, giraffe social groups are fluid and young giraffe males often form bachelor groups.

Although they are the most populous of the subspecies, it is estimated there are fewer than 37,000 remaining in the wild, (recent reports of poaching would suggest it likely to be significantly less). Turtle Back Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the giraffes are here as part of the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP). SSPs are coordinated plans to manage the genetic diversity of animal species held in AZA zoos. In support of this plan, TBZ’s exhibit features a bachelor herd of four Masai males.

The African Adventure exhibit was constructed to make the animals feel perfectly at home. It features three acres of land designed to mimic the African savanna, a climate-controlled barn with special flooring, giraffe-height windows and adjustable hay racks. It also has multiple viewing areas so everyone can get a good look at all the exhibit has to offer! While the giraffes are the stars of this area, don’t miss the other animals from the savanna, including, ostrich and smaller bird species.

LION & HYENA EXHIBIT

In 2017, our Lion and Hyena exhibits opened.

2022 UPDATE

Do you see lions, hyenas, or both? These habitats are designed so animals can rotate through them from day to day, giving them new things to see and smell. Right now our newest hyena, a young male, is still getting comfortable in this space, so he will be out in one habitat every day while our female hyenas and our lions take turns on the other side.

The goal is to introduce the male hyena to the females for breeding, but this can be a long process as keepers carefully observe the animals’ behavior to determine when to move forward with introductions.

SHORES OF AFRICA INDOOR EXHIBIT

Featuring AFRICAN PENGUIN & PELICAN