The median lifespan is in the teens. Some individuals have lived into their 20s.
Feed a Giraffe!
There's nothing quite like being face to face with the world's tallest animal as they eat a treat from your hand. You can experience this yourself daily between 10 am and 3 pm. The cost for this unforgettable experience is just $5 (cash or credit card). This gets you three pieces of romaine lettuce for three up close encounters!
Proudly Sponsored By:
World Giraffe Day on June 10 at South Street!
100% of proceeds from this event benefit giraffe in Africa through the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
ONLINE GEAR: Order World Giraffe Day T-shirts, water bottles, stickers, and much more with your choice of photos of Jumanji or Bolo from Naples Zoo!
Bolo the Giraffe! https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/144988836
Jumanji the Giraffe! https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/144988589
ONLINE AUCTION AND STORE WITH CUSTOM GIRAFFE PAINTINGS AND EXPERIENCES: Bring home some some extraordinary one-of-a-kind items in your choice of colors or arrange to come paint with a giraffe or even become a keeper for the day! Click Here to SHOP and BID.
JOIN US AT THE WORLD GIRAFFE DAY EVENT
Make plans to be at South Street City Oven and Grill at Pine Ridge in Naples on Saturday, June 10 from 5:30 to 8 pm to celebrate World Giraffe Day. South Street is donating $2 from every draft beer sold to giraffe conservation efforts through Naples Zoo and even more when you order a "Reticulated Wreck" cocktail and custom pint glass featuring the four giraffe at Naples Zoo. There will also be a Pick-A-Prize Giraffle and online store.
Helping Giraffes Near . . .
Naples Zoo participates in the Reticulated and Rothschild Giraffe Species Survival Plan® (SSP). The SSP is a cooperative conservation effort among zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Just like in the wild where males will leave the bachelor herds to seek out female company, bachelor herds in zoos will send out some males for breeding. In zoos, these moves are scientifically analyzed by an SSP coordinator using custom software that includes the extensive ancestry records of all the giraffes in North America to insure the healthiest genetic herd for long-term survival. So far, two of our giraffe have been selected and sent to other accredited facilities to help father the next generation of giraffes.
. . . and Far
In just the last 30 years, Africa's giraffe population has plummeted by 30%. Today with a population of 117,000 (2021 estimate), there are 3 to 4 elephants for every one giraffe. To secure a better future for these iconic creatures, Naples Zoo partners with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). Along with supporting their overall efforts with an annual World Giraffe Day event at South Street City Oven and Grill in Naples, Naples Zoo funds the annual salary of wildlife veterinarian Dr. Sara Ferguson, GCF's Conservation Health Coordinator. In 2021, Naples Zoo's Director of Conservation Tim Tetzlaff was also elected to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation Board of Directors.
While giraffe are one of the most recognized of all animals, there was surprisingly little research on them until GCF was formed by Dr. Julian and Steph Fennessy. GCF helps establish current status updates of giraffe populations, has lead the efforts to define the species/subspecies questions, and identifies innovative ways to mitigate threats along with so much more. You can help when you purchase a I STAND TALL FOR GIRAFFE wristband by our giraffe when you visit - all proceeds support GCF to help wild giraffes.