African Hoofed Stock - Reticulated Giraffe Exhibit

For details, see my review http://www.zoochat.com/22/review-como-zoo-151080/#post320899

Is that for the giraffe to hang their washing on to dry?

But seriously, what is it?

OH NO, San Diego zoo's "alien" trees are taking over the zoo world!

It is for hanging browse!

I did think that but then I realised that there's no ladder or pulley to get it up there. I also thought maybe a shade structure but I don't think it would offer much shade.

It looks like any awning to cover it for shade would be very complex. Perhaps it is unused as originally designed and once had an awning, or once had some sort of pulley for browse. Also, these features may be put away for the winter and had not yet been returned yet...it was a beautiful day, yet the hoofstock were all cooped up inside.

Shade structure

It was free! Built by the pipe fitter's union. It is covered by canvas in the spring and does provide shade.

Thanks for that Vjsred.

And Geomorph I didn't realise the animals weren't allowed outside yet (winters only just starting here.) Thanks.

Since many of the species are not good about coming inside the first time out in the spring we use a minimum of 50 degrees at night before they can go out. The exception is the gorillas who are reliable and even have the option of going out on nice winter days.

Vjsred, is this a complete list of mammal species at Como?
- Lion
- Tiger
- Snow Leopard
- Cougar
- Grey Wolf
- Polar Bear
- Harbor Seal
- California Sea Lion
- Giraffe
- Lesser Kudu
- Bison
- Dall Sheep
- Reindeer
- Gorilla
- Sumatran Orang-utan
- De Brazza's Monkey
- Black-handed Spider Monkey
- White-faced Saki Monkey
- Geoffroy's Tamarin
- Emperor Tamarin
- Blue-eyed Black Lemur