Giraffe Feeding Stations

[snowleopard]

It is astonishing at how many giraffe platforms have been built at North American zoos during the past ten years, and for $3 - $5 zoo visitors can feed the world's tallest mammal. It is similar to how there has been a proliferation of stingray touch tanks opening up at zoos, where people can pay to feel the animals. Are there loads of European zoos that have also recently built giraffe feeding stations?

You can pay to feed giraffes at these zoos in the U.S., amongst many others:

Buffalo, Detroit, Phoenix, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Woodland Park, Miami, Lowry Park, Riverbanks, Indianapolis and Cheyenne Mountain.

 

[Jacobea]

I think Colchester Zoo here in the UK does, as such was showed on the Zoo Days programme. Not sure if it's still done tho.

 

[Jurek7]

Unknown in Europe!

Another example of regional differences between Europa and America.

Would be a nice thing, though!

 

[taun]

Unknown in Europe!

Another example of regional differences between Europa and America.

Would be a nice thing, though!

Not quite there are a few zoo's in the UK that do offer it, but its at set times and limited places are available.

 

[Zoogoer2000]

I've been hoping for years that Toronto Zoo would open a giraffe feeding deck but we'll have to see. There enclosure is due to be renovated soon so its a possibiltiy

 

[FSBlue]

Those feeding stations are like taking candy from a baby. Think about it, if a zoo got 500 people a day to pay $3 to feed the giraffes, that's over $500,000 a year in extra revenue.

 

[Quartz92]

But it provides an amazing oppritunity!

 

[FSBlue]

But it provides an amazing oppritunity!

If that was directed at me, I'm not criticizing the practice. Just saying why they've popped up all over in the last few years.

 

[Quartz92]

OO no it wasn't I was just putting in my opinion sorry if you thaught it was directed to you.

 

[jbnbsn99]

Add Dallas' new exhibit next year to that list. There will be a special holding area for the Giraffes away from the other animals just for public feeding.

 

[Ituri]

Wildlife World in AZ has one, but it's different in that its more like a petting zoo feeding station where you put a quarter in a vending machine and you get a hand ful of pellets. It's open all day instead of select times like most.

 

[Jurek7]

Think about it, if a zoo got 500 people a day to pay $3 to feed the giraffes, that's over $500,000 a year in extra revenue.

And giraffes will explode

 

[Rookeyper]

Fort Wayne just opened our feeding platform in June when our new African Journey opened. It has been enormously popular with the visitors and the giraffes are starting to really enjoy it. We use romaine lettuce for the visitors to feed--cost is $1. Right now we're going through at least a case to a case and a half of romaine a day!