Understanding and improving the welfare of giraffes in zoological institutions globally.
Giraffes present distinctive welfare challenges in captivity that reflect the gap between their biological adaptations and what zoological facilities can realistically provide. Their height and leg structure make them susceptible to chronic musculoskeletal problems when floor surfaces are inappropriate. Their social needs require careful group management, and their foraging behavior — evolved for browsing from tall trees — requires creative enrichment provision in captive settings. Welfare-progressive facilities invest in appropriate substrates, browse programmes, and social group management informed by behavioral monitoring.