Giraffes are the world's tallest animals with specific welfare needs that are challenging to meet in zoo environments. Their locomotion, feeding behavior and social needs require careful facility design.
Giraffe welfare in captivity is compromised by the difficulty of meeting their fundamental biological needs. Their browsing behavior - eating leaves from trees at heights inaccessible to other species - cannot be adequately replicated with hay nets and browse provision in typical zoo settings. The movement needs of animals that walk extensive distances cannot be met in zoo enclosures. Hoof problems from captive substrate impair locomotion and cause chronic discomfort. The stress of translocation is severe enough that mortality during capture and transport is a documented hazard. Sudden cardiac death in zoo giraffes is attributed to the startle response overwhelming their extraordinary cardiovascular system in stressful captive conditions. Despite genuine efforts by some zoos, the fundamental physiological and behavioral needs of giraffes are difficult to meet in captivity.