Big things are happening at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens—especially if you’re the tallest land mammal in the world! The Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of two female giraffes from another AZA-accredited facility.
Guests can now see the four-year-old female giraffes in the habitat’s back area as they settle into their new home under the care of the Zoo’s animal experts. Standing at an estimated 13 feet tall, they are a little shorter than Gage, the Zoo’s male giraffe. Gage will continue to reside in the main habitat while the females complete recommended reproductive management protocols before all three are together. Zoo staff anticipate all three giraffes will share the habitat later this fall. The Zoo team has not yet selected names for the new giraffes and will share updates once names have been chosen.
“Welcoming these two female giraffes is an exciting milestone for the Zoo and a wonderful opportunity for our guests to connect with these incredible animals,” said Erin Bussom, General Curator. “Through our work with accredited zoological and conservation partners, we help support the long-term sustainability of giraffe populations while inspiring guests to learn more about the important role these animals play in the wild.”
Giraffe feedings with Gage will continue as usual, and later this fall, guests will have the opportunity to participate in feedings with all three giraffes. Available daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this encounter allows guests to get eye-to-eye with Gage and watch his remarkable 15-inch-long tongue in action. The experience costs $6 per person or $5 for Annual Passholders.
Giraffes can grow to more than 15 feet tall as adults and are 6 feet tall when born. Native to the African savanna, they play an important role in their ecosystem as pollinators and seed dispersers while feeding on leaves and flowers high in the treetops. Their long, prehensile tongues help them reach food that other herbivores cannot, and each giraffe can be identified by its unique coat pattern, much like a human fingerprint.
For more information about the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens and to purchase tickets, click here.
About the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is home to more than 350 animals in Sanford, Florida. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, it is a leader in conservation, creating connections that inspire people to take action for wildlife. The Zoo is an affordable, family-friendly experience supported by private donations and gate admission.
The Zoo is one of a small number of privately operated, non-profit zoos in the country accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and serves as a valuable community resource that enhances the quality of life in Central Florida. By bringing guests face-to-face with animals they may never encounter in the wild, the Zoo is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of wildlife worldwide. More information is available at www.centralfloridazoo.org.
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