Giraffes present unique welfare challenges in captivity including specialized dietary needs, social complexity, and susceptibility to leg and foot problems on hard surfaces.
Giraffes in captivity face welfare challenges from space restrictions, suboptimal flooring, and social grouping difficulties. Their specialized anatomy creates specific welfare vulnerabilities — hard flooring damages their legs and feet, while low feeding stations are associated with digestive problems. Zoos with large, well-designed exhibits, appropriate social groups, and browse-at-height feeding fare much better on giraffe welfare assessments than those that cannot meet these needs.