The Miller Brewing Company Giraffe Experience

The Zoo’s new Miller Brewing Company Giraffe Experience features a significantly expanded outdoor enclosure for the African giraffes; a deck that lets zoogoers get face to face with and feed the giraffes; a remodeled, temperature-controlled indoor public viewing area; and improved animal-care areas.

Giraffes Moving Day
See this video as well as 3 others at the Miller Brewing Company Giraffe Experience at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

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Want to Feed the Giraffes?

Join us for an unforgettable experience.  You and others in your small group will be with a knowledgeable guide for about ½ hour.  The guide will bring the giraffe to you, talk about the giraffe, answer your questions, and allow you to feed the animals.  For more details, see below.

Tickets, Location and Start Times

When : Scheduled feeding times will be from May 15 – October 1, weather permitting. There will be two feeding times per day, 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
How : Tickets for the giraffe experience will be sold at the Flamingo Café at the front of the Zoo.  They will be sold for that day only (no advance sales) beginning at 9 a.m. They will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Each participant must be present at time of ticket purchase.
Cost : Ticket cost is as follows:
  • Less than age 4 (defined as toddlers) – free, but each child must be accompanied by a paying adult that is not encumbered with other toddlers or children.
    (NOTE: - No more than 8 toddlers will be allowed at any one feeding.  Tickets will be issued for toddlers at no charge, but limited to 8 per feeding)
  • Ages 4 through 12 (defined as children) - $5.00, but each two children must be accompanied by a paying adult.
  • Ages 13 and above (defined as adults) - $10.00 per person

Giraffe Experience Details

  • Meet your guide on the west side of the giraffe building at the bottom of the steps leading up to the giraffe-viewing platform.  The guide will collect your tickets and this instruction sheet at the bottom of the steps.  After the tickets are all collected, you can then go up the steps with the guide, or go up the ramp to meet the guide.
  • Have your ticket ready.  You must show your ticket to join the group.
  • Be on time.  Arrive at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time listed on your ticket.  The group will not wait for latecomers.  There is no reimbursement for latecomers.
  • If you are on time, but for any reason are unable to feed the animals (which may happen if the giraffe are not so inclined), the zookeeper will mark your ticket to allow full reimbursement of the ticket cost.  Take the marked ticket back to where you bought it for full reimbursement.
  • A sign will be posted at the gathering place if the feeding has been cancelled due to inclement weather or an emergency.  If that is the case, take your ticket back to where you bought it and you will be fully reimbursed. 
  • Strollers are not allowed on the deck for the feeding experience

Giraffe Interactions

  • Safety first!  Giraffes are wild animals and may be unpredictable.  If they become excited or nervous they may leave the area or swing their heads.  The giraffe are always free to come and go as they please.  The guide has the authority to cancel feedings at any time.
  • When on the platform, talk softly and make no sudden movements.  Be kind to the giraffe!
  • Do not pet the giraffe.  They do not enjoy this, and may leave the area.
  • Follow the guide’s instructions while on the feeding platform on where to go, what to feed, and how to feed.  If the food is not presented properly, the giraffe may accidentally bite you.
  • Wash your hands right after your visit with the giraffes.  Restrooms are located at the south end of the giraffe building.
Special thanks to our Giraffe Experience exhibit sponsor:
Miller Brewing Company