Giraffes have highly specialized feeding behavior requiring long foraging periods at height, making zoo housing design critical for meeting their physical and psychological welfare needs.
Giraffes in zoo settings face welfare challenges unique to their anatomy and behavioral ecology. Forcing them to feed at ground level strains their cardiovascular system and is associated with increased time spent in abnormal postures. Social stress from incompatible group compositions causes chronic anxiety. Leading zoos invest in tall feeding stations, large outdoor enclosures, and careful social management. Giraffe welfare is an emerging focus area as understanding of their needs becomes more sophisticated.