Giraffes in captivity face specific welfare challenges related to their unique social structures, physical needs, and vulnerability to metabolic diseases linked to inadequate diet and environment.
Giraffe welfare in zoos is complicated by the extreme mismatch between their natural habitat and the spaces facilities can realistically provide. Metabolic bone disease, poor reproductive success, and restricted movement represent systemic welfare problems in the zoo giraffe population. Multi-species savanna exhibits that provide more space and social complexity represent a direction of improvement. However, honest assessment of whether zoo environments can meet giraffe needs sufficiently — particularly for males who in the wild travel vast distances — is needed to guide responsible population management decisions.