The Zoo of Us

Say hello to the giraffes & their Keeper As a Savannah Keeper at Werribee Open Range Zoo, Deb Jones has a special place in her heart for the giraffes.

WORDS Emily Tatti

PHOTOGRAPHY Jo Howell

From the Keeper:

Q How long have you worked at Werribee Open Range Zoo?

A I’ve been at Werribee for 18 years now. I’m currently a Keeper in the Lower Savannah, which is the mixed-species exhibit where we look after the giraffes, rhinos, eland, zebra, oryx, waterbuck and ostrich.

Q Can you tell us about the giraffes?

A We have five male giraffes – Harold, Amani, Kona, Jelani and Ajali (or AJ) – who range from eight to 12 years of age. They have a bit of a hierarchy, but it changes depending on the situation they’re in. Harold is uncertain about trying new things, whereas Kona is more outgoing and will lead the group most of the time.

Q How do they respond to the other animals in their exhibit?

A They still show natural instincts. For example, they’ll often sit on a rhino poo pile to disguise their smell from predators, just as they would in the wild.

Q Why do you love working with the giraffes?

A They’re so charismatic. You see their different personalities shine through every day. They’re also pretty hesitant animals, so they do get attached to the people looking after them. If a new Keeper were to jump out of a ute in their exhibit one day, they would withdraw and run away. It’s why we tend to spend a lot of time with the giraffes when we’re doing the rounds.

Q What does your role as a giraffe

Keeper involve?

A They live in a massive giraffe house, kind of like a barn, that is heated in the winter. In the mornings we feed them pellets for breakfast before training them with special treats like carrots, lettuce and sweet potato, which helps prepare them for X-rays and health check-ups. Then we release them into their 40-hectare paddock where they can roam and explore. A lot of our day involves cleaning their barn and hanging food for their dinner.

Q What do the giraffes do during the day?

A They’re very relaxed animals. They like to sit and rest in the sun. Because they’re browsers, they also spend a lot of their time scoping out new branches. They like to stick to a routine, so at 4pm they know to wait at the gate to their barn. If you’re five minutes early they’ll even run from the other side of the paddock to meet you.

Q How did they react to the lack of visitors during the Zoo closure?

A It’s amazing how much they’re stimulated by buses travelling through the Savannah, so when we don’t have visitors, we give them extra enrichment activities to keep them busy during the day, like puzzle feeders. We also hang browse (acacia leaves) in different spots, which encourages them to explore new areas of their enclosure. But they’re really lucky that they live in a mixed-species exhibit, because they encounter other animals every day and it helps keep them stimulated. ZN

Did you know?

While you might browse the shelves at your library, the word ‘browse’ for giraffes means to nibble at or eat something. Giraffes are similar to cows because they graze on food rather than eat it in one gulp.

VISIT US

Visit the giraffes at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Go to zoo.org.au to book your free member tickets.