This is a great photo as it showcases what is easily one of the very best giraffe exhibits in the USA. There is hotwire in the forefront of the enclosure, as well as separating the animals from the forest in the background, but the grass is a lush green and I don't believe the trees are protected at all. In terms of sheer aesthetics I've rarely seen a better giraffe exhibit in any American zoo.
It is truly a beautiful exhibit! It was wonderful to see the small herd amble about the lush, lightly wooded yard., and I do believe you are correct in saying that the trees are not protected, as we certainly saw none.. And we spent a good 15 minutes watching this rather active herd in their very aesthetically pleasing yard! It is far too seldom that you see giraffes exhibited in anything more than a small barren yard or crowded around a wooden feeding deck.
It is truly a beautiful exhibit! It was wonderful to see the small herd amble about the lush, lightly wooded yard., and I do believe you are correct in saying that the trees are not protected, as we certainly saw none.. And we spent a good 15 minutes watching this rather active herd in their very aesthetically pleasing yard! It is far too seldom that you see giraffes exhibited in anything more than a small barren yard or crowded around a wooden feeding deck.
Hard to see in the photo, but I believe the tree trunks are very artfully wrapped in fine darkened stainless steel mesh to prevent the giraffes from making short work of the trees by stripping the bark.
I agree this is one of the finest giraffe habitats in the US.
Yes very nice indeed and nicely situated across from the equally lush elephant exhibit. I am not sure however if the elephant exhibit has maintained full grass cover with rhinos now inhabiting it. Phoenix Zoo also has a beautiful grass covered giraffe exhibit (which includes other savanna hoofstock), as does The Living Desert. Even Reid Park Zoo has some grass, though not full coverage any more. So how is it these three desert zoos can maintain grass while zoos in more moderate climates have nothing but dirt?
Hard to see in the photo, but I believe the tree trunks are very artfully wrapped in fine darkened stainless steel mesh to prevent the giraffes from making short work of the trees by stripping the bark.
Yes very nice indeed and nicely situated across from the equally lush elephant exhibit. I am not sure however if the elephant exhibit has maintained full grass cover with rhinos now inhabiting it. Phoenix Zoo also has a beautiful grass covered giraffe exhibit (which includes other savanna hoofstock), as does The Living Desert. Even Reid Park Zoo has some grass, though not full coverage any more. So how is it these three desert zoos can maintain grass while zoos in more moderate climates have nothing but dirt?
The rhinos are not yet on exhibit in the former elephant exhibit, so it currently sits overgrown with grass that is at least knee high! That said, it will be interesting to see how the grass will withstand to the three rhinos in place of the four elephants. You also bring up a very valid point with the lack of grass in giraffe exhibits in so many more temperate zoos than those you have mentioned... Is it simply because they do not try? Do they just assume that it will be too much work to maintain it? Are the exhibits not large enough? Other factors?
You also bring up a very valid point with the lack of grass in giraffe exhibits in so many more temperate zoos than those you have mentioned... Is it simply because they do not try? Do they just assume that it will be too much work to maintain it? Are the exhibits not large enough? Other factors?
It does require adequate space for the size of the herd. In many locales it further requires suitable drainage and soil. That can get very expensive to provide. Older exhibits simply didn't take this into account and trusted that grass would grow... in some older exhibits keepers didn't want grass there (it makes the enclosure more trouble to clean up and maintain). Having grass in these exhibits requires planning and adequate funding. Nashville Zoo did what was required to have grass there. And in the elephant enclosure.
Hard to see in the photo, but I believe the tree trunks are very artfully wrapped in fine darkened stainless steel mesh to prevent the giraffes from making short work of the trees by stripping the bark.
