Giraffes in zoos require specialized care for their unique physiology and social needs. Welfare challenges include space requirements, social grouping, and floor surface management.
Giraffe welfare in captivity is compromised by space restrictions, inappropriate social groupings, and unsuitable floor surfaces. The giraffe cardiovascular system evolved to pump blood 6 feet upward to the brain — recumbency stresses this system. When giraffes fall on slippery floors, the resulting injuries are often fatal. Social incompatibilities between unrelated individuals in small herds cause chronic stress that manifests in stereotypic behaviors. The biological complexity of giraffes makes their welfare needs difficult to meet in typical zoo settings.