Transporting giraffes between facilities poses unique welfare challenges due to their height, stress sensitivity, and specialized physiological needs. Careful preparation reduces risks significantly.
Giraffe transport welfare requires recognition of the species-specific risks that make this one of the most challenging large mammal transport situations. Preparation including voluntary crate training where time allows, specialist veterinary oversight, and careful monitoring during transport reduce but cannot eliminate the welfare costs. The decision to transport a giraffe must weigh conservation and welfare benefits against these transport costs.