Giraffe Center

 The ladies all met just after breakfast with walking shoes, raincoats [just in case], and cameras. We headed to the Giraffe Center where Rothschild giraffe's are raised. This is the rarest giraffe and there are those concerned with its dwindling numbers. Here is the Homepage website address for more information.

We washed our hands and then were given a coconut shell that had two kinds of treats for the giraffes. One was like an alfalfa nugget and the other was brown. More green than brown treats in any bowl. We walked up a ramp to be at the right height for the giraffes to nibble their treats. Most were small giraffes and could just reach over to get their treats. The tallest giraffe could head butt people if he/she felt the treats were coming too slowly. It was so fun to feel their velvety tongues collect the treats. I kept trying how to visualize how they could get the sweet leaves out of the terrible thorn trees. Evidently it is worth the scratches to get the leaves they want.

Two types of treats

Don't miss this fun experience!

Strong soft tongues

Left: Debbie Richards, Tricia Wright, and Gayla Allen with camera

Left: Cindy Channer feeding giraffe, Carol Craig (back turned) Marie Stanford with camera, and Debbie Richards

Jennifer Dushku communing with her giraffe

Pat Kimsey feeding giraffe, Debbie Richards smiles, and Marie Stanford takes the photo

Debbie ducks a head butt, Marie and Liz Randall take pictures

Carol just avoided a head swipe for an impatient giraffe

Carol and the giraffe come to an understanding

All's well that ends well

It is very difficult to herd cats and get all twelve ladies in the same place at the same time. 

Seven out of Twelve!
Linda Ann, Debby, Janeen Redd, Carol, Cindy
Tricia and Monica Jergensen