The unique welfare challenges of keeping giraffes in captivity, including thermal management, substrate, social needs, and stereotypic behaviors.
Zoo giraffes face specific welfare challenges that arise from their extreme anatomy and tropical origins. Hoof and joint problems from hard flooring surfaces cause chronic pain. Insufficient indoor space during cold weather creates exercise deprivation and social conflicts. Feeding height for giraffes at ground level is unnatural and may cause musculoskeletal strain. Despite these challenges, well-managed zoo populations contribute to conservation and breeding programs for this increasingly threatened wild species.