African Journey - Giraffe House

August 1st, 2010.

Do you know why there is a big dead tree taking up most of their giraffe house? Did this used to be an animal exhibit of some kind?

Thanks very much for posting the photo tour of this zoo (and all of your other zoo tours). I have wanted to know what this giraffe house looked like.

@DB: I'm as bewildered as you are with the tree that dominates the inside of the giraffe house, and perhaps a local zoo-goer will fill us in on the details. So many giraffe houses somewhat inexplicably have other exhibits within them, from rock hyrax at Buffalo Zoo to Steller's sea eagles at Louisville Zoo!

snowleopard said:

@DB: I'm as bewildered as you are with the tree that dominates the inside of the giraffe house, and perhaps a local zoo-goer will fill us in on the details. So many giraffe houses somewhat inexplicably have other exhibits within them, from rock hyrax at Buffalo Zoo to Steller's sea eagles at Louisville Zoo!

Click to expand...

I don't think rock hyrax are particularly inexplicable - they can be tied in very easily to an African savannah theme - a 'kopje corner' if you will.

Steller's Sea Eagle is enjoyably random, though!

I do prefer 'big animal' houses to have some 'little animals' as well - not least to give you something to look at if you wander in while the headline inhabitants are outside.

As a child, back in the 80's, I think this area was used as an aviary.

The tree is used as a storage area. They had hoses and stuff in there a year ago. It doesn't take up "a lot" of space but its a waste if you ask me. Would be a nice perch for some vultures.

That nasty tree takes up the visitor space!
and it looks like the stalls size remained the same: