Training a Herd of Giraffes

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is well-known for our giraffe herd. People are excited to feed the docile giants face to face – currently there are 19 roaming the Zoo’s African Rift Valley. Everyday at 2 p.m., guests can also take a front-row seat to watch our giraffe training program in action.

Cooperative husbandry training helps animal keepers care for the giraffes. This may seem like technical “zoo-speak,” but basically it means that our animals are trained to be willing participants in their own care. This willing participation means safer and less stressful procedures for both humans and animals. Much of this training is focused on hoof work, because just like fingernails, hooves grow. It is important that they get trimmed regularly.

“In zoos, eighty percent of giraffe anesthesia is done to address foot problems,” Dr. Liza Dadone, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Head Veterinarian, said. “Anesthetizing a giraffe is dangerous. The animal training that the keepers are doing is taking out the need for that high-risk anesthesia for our herd.” 

In March, animal keepers chose two giraffes to start foot training, Lakish and Mahali. They were presented with a sturdy wooden box and were given voice commands (left or right). As the giraffes learned to place a foot on the box, they were then given a second command, “touch.” Animal keepers would then touch their foot. Eventually, the giraffes’ training progressed to the point where they would present their foot on the box, curl their foot up and hold it in that position, while a farrier (hoof specialist) trimmed it. Currently 12 of our 19 giraffes present their feet for regular farrier work, x-rays or laser therapy.

“It’s truly amazing how far we’ve come in just a short amount of time,” Amy Schilz, Head Giraffe/Lion Animal Keeper, said. “A number of people are really surprised at how smart giraffes are, and how quickly we can cooperatively capture husbandry behaviors.”

In addition to hoof work, the animal keepers also work with the giraffes on shifting, targeting their nose to a tennis ball, cooperative blood draws, neck stretches and standing still on a scale. One female, Msitu, is even trained to allow keepers to conduct an ultrasound test on her. This is how the veterinary team and keepers knew she was pregnant with our newest giraffe calf, Emy, born on August 1.

“All of our giraffes are given the opportunity to train,” Amy said. “Even Emy, who is only two months old, has started target training.”

All of the giraffes are trained with positive reinforcement – meaning when a giraffe chooses to participate in training they are rewarded with giraffe crackers and other healthy giraffe treats. If they don’t want to participate that day, they can choose to simply walk away. Amy also explained that each giraffe has a different training regimen and that each giraffe responds to different cues, verbals and techniques.

“It’s like a puzzle,” Amy said. “That is the fun part for me, figuring out what each giraffe is going to respond to.”

In addition to cooperative husbandry behaviors, the three giraffe animal keepers work on capturing some of the giraffes natural behaviors (like sticking their tounge out or bowing for water) on a training cue. Next time you are at the Zoo, check out our giraffe herd’s positive reinforcment training  in African Rift Valley.

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