Giraffes are challenging animals to keep in captivity due to their large size, specialised feeding requirements, and complex social needs. Understanding giraffe social structure and welfare requirements helps evaluate zoo provision standards.
Giraffe welfare in captivity requires significant investment in space, appropriate feeding height, and social group composition. The long legs and unique anatomy that make giraffes compelling to observe also make inadequate space and feeding arrangements particularly harmful. Institutions unable to provide adequate space and social groups should not house giraffes. The increasing recognition of giraffe social complexity and individual relationships is shifting zoo management toward more naturalistic group compositions.