Giraffe Heights

Are you ready for some tall tales about these tall individuals?

• Giraffes have the same number of bones in the neck as we do – seven. Valves in neck prevent blood rushing to the head when they bend down to drink
• Babies stand at about two metres at birth - their horns lie flat at birth and pop up several days later
• Originally from Africa
• Giraffes eat mainly acacia leaves but also shoots fruits and other vegetation

This is your chance to go eye to eye with our tallest animals whilst you feed them their favourite browse. By taking part in this experience you will be supporting ZSLs vital conservation work which includes the training of next generation conservationists around the world desperately needed to continue protecting our planets’ amazing animals.

Did you know

Giraffes live in Africa, in grassland and woodland habitats. They eat mainly acacia leaves but also shoots, fruits and other vegetation. Surprisingly, giraffes have the same number of bones in the neck as we do – seven. Valves in neck prevent blood rushing to the head when they bend down to drink. Babies stand at about two metres at birth - their horns lie flat at birth and pop up several days later.

Ticket prices for 2016

• £54 per person Mon - Sun

The experience takes place daily at 12.15pm, May-October and you must be at the meeting point at 12.05pm.

The meeting point is located by the ground floor indoor viewing area of the giraffe house.

2017 dates will be available for booking on 1st November 2016

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Terms and conditions

• General admission ticket or valid membership per person must be purchased to be allowed entry into the zoo and take part in the Meet the Giraffes experience.

• Please listen to the keeper at all times. (Your safety as well as the welfare of all animals is their upmost priority. As such, the keeper can stop the encounter or ask participants to exit the VIP area at any time should they feel necessary.)

• Appropriate closed toe footwear must be worn for the experience.

• Maximum of 6 participants per experience. Children: must be at least 3-foot in height and be accompanied by an adult, no more than 2 children per adult. Each adult must also has a valid Meet the Giraffes ticket.

• Disabilities: Participants with learning or visual impairment must be accompanied by a carer who takes full responsibility for the adherence of health and safety and welfare protocols. Accompanying carers can enter the VIP area free of charge but must not participate in the experience. Wheelchair access is available for this experience.

• Pregnant/ nursing mothers who have given birth within the previous six months cannot participate for health and safety reasons.  

• Cancellations: ZSL reserves the right to alter the experience or cancel on any given day if necessary. We will endeavour to contact you via email at least 24-hours before your visit to notify you of any changes. We recommend checking your emails on the day before your visit in case we have emailed you. If these changes result in you missing the encounter or you are no longer able to attend, please contact us to discuss options. Turning up late will invalidate your ticket and will not be refunded. Bookings cancelled up to 14 days before the date will be eligible for a full refund. Thereafter changes will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of ZSL.

Zookeepers have welcomed a new baby giraffe to their neck of the woods at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo after mum Savannah gave birth just in time for Mother's Day.

Fourth-time mum Savannah kept zookeepers guessing for weeks after her expected due-date, finally giving birth to a female calf on Wednesday 24 February. Keepers named her Nuru, the Swahili word for light.

Nuru the baby giraffe already measures 5ft6in, and is a fluffy, miniature picture of her 16-foot tall mum.

Keeper Cassie Taylor said: "Savannah is a fantastic mum, so it was particularly lovely to have the calf arrive in time for Mother's Day.

"We were lucky enough to be there to observe the birth, and watched Nuru as mum Savannah gently helped her stand up and delicately cleaned her new arrival. 

"Savannah is attentive and protective, but also relaxed enough to let dad Bashu and the other members of the group play their roles in childcare too."

The baby giraffe was born at 9am and after less than an hour of wobbly attempts, soon figured out how to use her long legs to stand up to her full height. 

At just eight days old, Nuru has already been spotted exploring her surroundings and interacting with other members of the herd, showing similar personality traits to her bold and inquisitive parents. 

Keeper Cassie Taylor continued: "Calves don't usually wean from their mother's milk until they are a few months old but Nuru is already showing an interest in leaves, and at one point dunked her whole head in the water bowl! She’s a really wonderful addition to the group and will make a great playmate for 18 month old Luna and two year old Willow."

The new calf is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which helps ensure the survival of endangered species in Zoos across Europe.

Book a visit now to see Nuru and the rest of the giraffe herd, as well as ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s other 2,500 animals.