Happy to Be People-Fed

The NC Zoo's five giraffes were readily taking leaves from branches offered them by some special zoo visitors yesterday in the giraffes' behind-the-scenes "exercise area".

So the trick is not getting them to take the food offerings from people, but to get them comfortable with doing the same when folks are standing atop the big, new structure in their on-exhibit habitat.

Acacia Station, the tall new deck at the NC Zoo where visitors will one day pay a little to experience the Forest Edge habitat, its giraffes and/or feed one or more of those five giraffes, was dedicated yesterday, with Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Dee Freeman among the ribbon-cutters.

Because of the rainy day, the giraffes were "behind-the-scenes". Invited guests went to them after the ribbon-cutting.