The International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe Opens September 15th
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is marking 100 years with a major new home for its giraffe herd: the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe.
In this special visit, Amy Schilz and Diana Miller explain how the new barn brings together years of giraffe-care experience, including the zoo’s hoof-care work and knowledge shared across the zoo community. The zoo has been working for years on a new and improved home for the world-famous giraffe herd at one of America’s favorite zoos.
The goal is to improve the lives of giraffes worldwide while giving visitors new ways to connect with the herd.
“Cheyenne Mountain Zoo started the Giraffe Center about three or four years ago, and we started a hoof-care program in 2013 that really began to gain attention from the rest of the zoo community,” says Amy Schilz, Senior Animal Behaviorist and leading giraffe expert. “This barn is the culmination of everything we’ve learned from people all over the world. Our mission at the Giraffe Center is to improve the lives of giraffes worldwide, and I really think this space is going to do that.”
The facility includes 11 new feeding and interaction locations at varying heights, helping guests experience giraffes from ground level and from elevated spaces. Those interactions also encourage the animals to move through the barn, supporting daily activity and overall health.
“Guests can feed giraffes and have those special interactions that create connections with them,” says Diana Miller, Giraffe Specialist. “There are unique play features in the barn and opportunities to experience giraffes on a different level, almost like being in the trees while you’re feeding them. Guests can see them at varying heights, including at ground level, where you can really appreciate their massive size.”
Inside, the giraffes have hanging browse branches, protected live-tree feeders, varied flooring, misting systems, heated walls, wide sliding doors, and fast-opening garage doors designed to help them move comfortably between indoor and outdoor spaces. An ETFE roof allows UVA and UVB light into the building, while cameras and activity tracking will help the team continue studying giraffe behavior and well-being.
The zoo provides roughly 3,000 pounds of browse each day as part of its feeding program, reflecting the giraffe’s natural role as a specialized browser.
The grand opening is September 15.
