The Very Big "3-0"
Two of the NC Zoo's three giraffes turned 30 years of age recently.
The females both came to the Zoo in 1979 from Busch Gardens, when they were two.
"In the wild, giraffes seldom live longer than 20-25 years," reports Tom Gillespie for the NC Zoo.
Giraffes have the same number of neck vertebrae as we humans. (Their neck bones are just a bit longer!)
The females both came to the Zoo in 1979 from Busch Gardens, when they were two.
"In the wild, giraffes seldom live longer than 20-25 years," reports Tom Gillespie for the NC Zoo.
Giraffes have the same number of neck vertebrae as we humans. (Their neck bones are just a bit longer!)
posted by Russ Williams at
4:54 PM
7 Comments:
Hey Russ, Why is it that all three giraffes are not exhibited at the same time?
Brian
I thought they were, Brian, but one or two are often behind the artificial rocks, looking into their back area.
I'll try to remember to ask if that is no longer the case.
I can answer that... When our female giraffes are cycling (once every two weeks or so) the male tends to get amorous...one of our females, due to age, arthritis, declining health, can not stand up to him rubbing and pushing on her. He has actually knocked her down a couple times in the past (once he pushed open a shift door over night to get to her).
A giraffe on the floor is a very scary thing indeed. Often they hurt their legs trying to get up, if they can get up at all. So, in order to protect this female, she does not ever share space with the male. We rotate them on exhibit with the remaining female. The giraffe that stays off exhibit has access to an outside paddock and can see/touch the giraffe on exhibit. So, if you are visiting the exhibit and don't see any giraffe, they are likey in the runway to their back holding area visiting with thier friend who is off exhibit.
Jennifer Ireland
Animal Management Supervisor
Chimp/Lions/Zebra/Giraffe
Thanks for explaining that, Jennifer.
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Russ & Jennifer thank you for that explaination.
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