Giraffe training program at Milwaukee County Zoo

Three years ago a training program for Milwaukee County Zoo's 1.2 giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) was proposed. A chronic hoof problem of our then fifteen year old male, as well as the need to perform routine health checks on all our giraffes, deemed this type of program necessary. We initiated a husbandry training program using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement (food rewards). Due to design and limitations of our giraffe building, our plan was to train the giraffes to voluntarily enter a restraint chute for routine vet exams and hoof care. This we reasoned, would greatly reduce the need and risk associated with chemical immobilization of our giraffes, as well as decrease the stress and trauma to our animals for their health care needs. Developing a formalized training program for such an independent ruminant as the giraffe has proven to be challenging at times. However, the progress and successes we have had with husbandry procedures has made it all well worth the effort.