The questions of visitors

I have found a pattern or maybe a correlation between our giraffe arrangements during the day and the questions visitors ask.  Well because in some indirect way you guys are visitors to this zoo, might I even go so far as saying "backstage, VIP visitors", I thought I would give some answers to the most common questions.  

The number one question asked is: Why is that guy in his own pen outside?

Answer:  He is a male.  We are selective on who we let him breed so he does not have full access to females all the time.  You can tell he is a male by the bumps on his face which leads to question two.

#2. Why are there bumps on his face; is he sick?

Answer:  No he is not sick or being punished.  Those bumps are calcium deposits and they get those when they reach sexual maturity. So Mahali, a male who was castrated when he was young, does not have those.  

#3.  Why are there giraffes inside during the day?

Answer:  Becky, the white one is usually inside because she is old and we do not force her to go outside.  She often remains inside and chooses to do so.  Every once in a while, once this week, she goes out for the day.  This is related to question #4.

#4.  Why are there giraffes in stalls inside?

Answer:  There are giraffes in inside stalls because they are limping and need to rest and have a soft place to stand and lay down; the sand stall is a perfect fit.  

#5 Has a giraffe been trained to catch a frisbee? 

I tried to answer to this crazy question as logical as I could:  No, they are hoove stock animals meaning they would be scared at something flying at them.  He went on to tell me that if I wanted to get ahead as an intern I need to bounce off ideas like that.  I think Allison has enough on her plate as far as training goes with 20 giraffes and all, as it is.  

And the list goes on! Really though, I have been having a great time meeting people from all over.  It is so cool to see how excited they are about the zoo and the giraffes specifically.  I have some help me do the draw bridge or medicate giraffes to make their experience even more defining.  

Today we did more X-rays on two of our giraffes today and did some training again:

Kahlid doing his neck stretches!

Allison rewarding Kahlid for targeting and following her around the yard.

The coolest thing ever.  

Night.