Library patrons meet giraffe

South Fayette library patrons meet giraffe

Zoo outing and talk enhance book pick "West with Giraffes"

Story & photos by Andrea Iglar

Unexpected things happen when you're taking a selfie with a giraffe.

Kathy Brown had just snapped a smartphone picture with Louis, a giraffe in the African savanna habitat of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, when she felt a gust of warm air.

Kathy Brown erupts into laughter as she feels a giraffe breathing down her neck at the Pittsburgh Zoo.

"He was breathing out those big nostrils, and I could feel the wind on the back of my head," she said. "And that's when it dawned on me that he was that close."

Louis had extended his neck to breathe down her neck. Brown stepped away from the 18-foot-tall giraffe with a laugh.

Brown was among a group visiting the zoo with the South Fayette Township Library in May to meet the 16-year-old giraffe and learn how animals are transported between zoological institutions.

The visit aimed to enhance the experience of reading "West with Giraffes" by Lynda Rutledge--the library's selection for One Book, One Community, a program that invites everyone to read the same book as a springboard to conversation and connection.

The novel is based on the true story of two giraffes driven by truck from New York to California in 1938. The animals rode in tall wooden crates, with their necks and heads often poking from an opening at the top. The driver braved an assortment of dangers, from rough roads to unpredictable weather.

In 1938, a giraffe pokes its head and neck from a tall wooden crate that people are loading onto the bed of an International D-40 truck, which would transport a pair of the animals from New York to the San Diego Zoo in California.

Wisconsin Historical Society WHI-88882

The giraffes—later named Lofty and Patches—were headed for the San Diego Zoo, having already endured a 52-day overseas journey from Africa, survived a hurricane along the U.S. coast, and completed a 15-day quarantine in New Jersey.

Heather Terrell, who coordinates animal transportation for the Pittsburgh zoo, said modern air travel and a focus on animal welfare have made moves quicker, safer and more comfortable.

Louis, for example, was born in the Los Angeles Zoo and transported to Pittsburgh by land. His trip took 2 to 3 days, much shorter than the 12 days the cross-country trip with giraffes took 85 years ago.

“That was a long transport,” Terrell said. “I would like to think that we’re doing it better now.”

Some features and challenges of animal transportation have remained the same. For example, when the Pittsburgh zoo transported elephants, staff members had to make sure the animal crate and vehicle would fit through the Fort Pitt Tunnel.

“In the book, they talked about being able to get under tunnels and had to lower the tire pressure,” Terrell said. “We had to check all of that to make sure the height was going to fit through those tunnels we were going to use.”

South Fayette library patrons hear a presentation from Heather Terrell, who coordinates animal transportation for the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

Terrell coordinates roughly a dozen animal transports each year, internationally and within the U.S. Depending on travel distance and other factors, animals may go by ground or air. Smaller creatures can hitch rides in the animal cargo areas of commercial airlines, just like dogs and cats.

Animals may be transported between facilities for many reasons, such as the opening of new exhibits, habitat renovation, breeding, companionship, the need to alleviate crowding and rescue operations.

Transportation plans require government permits, animal health certificates and other paperwork. The zoo must build or buy a proper crate and provide for the animal’s needs.

The overall mission of the zoo is to connect people to wildlife and to inspire nature conservation.

Georgia Metsger of South Fayette said it was exciting to hear about the puzzle pieces that must fit together to transport animals. “It was like a Rubik’s cube,” she said.

After learning about animal transportation, the library group visited the zoo’s two Masai giraffes. Comfortable with humans, Louis craned his neck among the visitors, accepting pats on his snout.

South Fayette Township Library patrons and employees meet the giraffe named Louis at the Pittsburgh Zoo in May. The visit aimed to enhance the reading of "West with Giraffes," a novel based on the true story of driving giraffes cross-country in 1938.

While the giraffes in the book liked to eat onions, Louis prefers sweet potatoes, carrots and leafy greens, caretaker Emily Lethaby said. She handed Louis some Romaine lettuce, and his 20-inch tongue curled the leaves into his mouth.

Joe Cochran of South Fayette experienced the sensation of the giraffe licking his hand and said the result wasn’t the most pleasant scent, but the experience was cool.

“The tongue was like sandpaper, but the giraffe was so gentle,” he said.

Brown, who had last visited the zoo 18 years ago, appreciated that the library organized the adventure.

“Our library goes above and beyond,” she said. “I never would have gone to the zoo if it hadn’t been for this program.”