Giraffes are challenging to keep in captivity with their specific dietary, environmental and social needs, and welfare standards vary significantly across institutions.
Captive giraffes face welfare challenges from limited space, hard flooring causing leg problems, social deprivation, and diets that may not match their complex gut flora requirements. Stereotypic behaviours including oral manipulation have been documented. However, giraffes face severe threats in the wild from habitat loss and poaching. Conservation-focused breeding programmes may have value when welfare standards are genuinely high.