ZooLAbration at the LA Zoo

What’s it like to stand face-to-face with a giraffe? Find out daily at the Los Angeles Zoo’s new interactive Giraffe Feedings at 11 am and 2:30 pm, which officially debuts this month as part of the Zoo’s yearlong 50th anniversary “ZooLAbration.” At Giraffe Feedings, guests learn about the world’s tallest land mammal from Zoo Education Specialists, who share facts about the Masai giraffes’ daily lives at the Zoo, where they can eat 70 to 80 pounds of up to 100 different species of plants a day and feed for 16 to 20 hours.

Photos: LA Zoo

“Standing 16-20 feet tall, giraffes have always been a favorite as they tower over our guests,” says Dan Keeffe, Curator of Education. “But now at the L.A. Zoo, guests of all ages can get up close and personal with one of our Masai giraffes, look into her eyes, and even hear her snort. When she extends her 14-inch long tongue to grab the food right out of your hand, it’s an unforgettable experience that fosters a deeper connection to a species that needs our help.”

Once classified as being of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the conservation status of giraffes moved one step closer to “Endangered” in December, 2016. Due to threats such as habitat loss and poaching, giraffe populations in Africa are declining precipitously, leading the IUCN to now classify them as “Vulnerable.” Not only do the L.A. Zoo and other institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) supply funding for field conservation efforts aimed at protecting threatened animals like the giraffe, AZA institutions are uniquely positioned to provide information and insights on reproductive biology, behavior, nutrition, animal health, and genetics that are invaluable to these efforts.

Giraffe Feedings are $5 per person with paid Zoo admission, which is $20 for general admission (ages 13 to 61); $17 for seniors (ages 62+), and $15 for children (ages 2 to 12) for non-members. Guests can purchase tickets (cash only) for the Giraffe Feedings at the exhibit just prior to start times for the activity, which is subject to weather-related changes, especially on rainy days.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.  5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA  90027.  Free parking is available.  For additional information, contact (323) 644-4200 or visit www.lazoo.org/