You’re having a Giraffe
After a 15 year absence, gentle creatures return to Edinburgh Zoo
EDINBURGH ZOO opens a new giraffe house this month to house five male giraffes which have arrived in the city after an absence of 15 years.
Ronnie and Arrow took up residence at the Corstorphine
Road zoo on 11 May and have since been joined by Gerald and Fennessy with Gilbert arriving last. The zoo partnered with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky to bring giraffes back to the capital and will support vital work to protect the species in the wild.
Jonathan Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “Our giraffe house has been designed with high level walkways so visitors can meet these wonderful creatures face-to-face, giving them an amazing opportunity to connect with nature and be inspired to join us in protecting them from extinction.”
WOBURN SAFARI PARK’S loss is the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s gain after five male giraffes took up residence in Edinburgh for the first time in a decade and a half.
The world’s tallest species are becoming accustomed to the green pastures of Corstorphine Hill as the latest big attraction to pull in visitors to Edinburgh Zoo in a newly built £2.8 million giraffe house.
The zoo has partnered with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky to bring giraffes back Edinburgh and will support vital work to protect the species in the wild.
Jonathan Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “It is incredible to welcome giraffes back to Edinburgh Zoo and we are so excited to start introducing them to our charity’s members, patrons and visitors after they have settled in.
“Numbers of giraffes in the wild have declined by almost 30% since the 1980s due to habitat loss and poaching, so this is a really important opportunity for us to raise awareness and support the Giraffe Conservation Foundation’s work to save the species.
“Our brand-new giraffe house has been designed with high level walkways which means visitors will be able to meet these wonderful creatures face-to-face, giving them an amazing opportunity to connect with nature and be inspired to join us in protecting them from extinction.”
Julian Fennessy, co-founder of GCF, said: “There are only about 117,000 giraffe remaining in all of Africa. Their numbers have dropped by almost 30% in the last three decades. As this decline has happened largely unnoticed, it is now time that we draw more attention to this silent extinction.
“Zoos play an important role in sharing this message and the new giraffe herd at Edinburgh Zoo can play a vital role in raising awareness and funds for the plight of their wild cousins in Africa.”
Thomas Moradpour, President and Chief Executive of The Glenmorangie Company, said: “These amazing animals are under threat of a silent extinction, which is why we are proud to be official partners of giraffe conservation at Edinburgh Zoo, and to support the work of GCF in the wild. Through this global partnership, we hope to raise awareness of the plight of the giraffe, and ensure these wonderful creatures remain part of our world.”