Spend the longest day of the year celebrating the longest-necked animal at The Living Desert on World Giraffe Day, Sunday, June 21 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The celebration includes special giraffe keeper chats, arts and crafts, giraffe feedings and more. Guests who wear a giraffe print will receive half price general admission tickets.
World Giraffe Day is an initiative of the Giraffe Conservation Fund (GCF) and helps raise awareness and conservation efforts for giraffes that have less than 80,000 remaining in the wild. The vision of the GCF is that of “a sustainable future where all giraffe populations and (sub)species are protected and secure in the wild.” The Living Desert is one of many zoos and organizations throughout the world participating in this special day and what it represents.
“The concept of World Giraffe Day aligns perfectly with our mission of preservations through education and appreciation,” said Allen Monroe, President/CEO of The Living Desert. “We welcome the opportunity to celebrate these amazing animals with our visitors.”
For just $4 per member (non-members $5 per person), guests can get eye-to-eye with the giraffes and enjoy this unique experience of feeding the tallest animals in the world. Giraffe feedings will be offered during World Giraffe Day at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., which also includes a keeper chat.
Giraffes will be available as part of the Zoo’s adopt an animal fundraiser. For $75 (regularly priced at $100), adopters will receive one free giraffe feeding (valid June 21 only), a giraffe stuffed animal, certificate, photo and fact sheet.
Giraffe range in height from 14-feet to over 20-feet tall and can weigh over 2,500 pounds. Their long necks reach almost 7-feet in length. A giraffe’s tongue is almost 20 inches long, and its purple color protects it from the sun’s harsh rays when eating.
The Living Desert is open daily from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with the last admission at 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.LivingDesert.org or contact 760-346-5694.
