Giraffes Arrive At Chessington For Zufari

You must be having a giraffe! Or four to be precise...

Herd of giraffes takes a road trip to Chessington World of Adventure Resort for new multi-million pound safari attraction – ZUFARI: Ride into Africa

Leafy Surrey is soon to become the setting for a new African safari experience, as four Rothschild giraffes arrive at Chessington World of Adventures Resort today.

Giraffes Tonda, Kismet, Karamoja and Kito have arrived at Chessington after travelling the length and breadth of the country from zoos in Paignton, Marwell, Port Lympne and Woburn. The four bull giraffes will form a new, all male herd and play their role in bringing to life the magic of the African savannah.

The animals came in one by one, transported in a specially designed trailer standing at six metres tall, complete with a retractable roof. In the lead up to the move, zookeepers worked with each giraffe to prepare them for their journey and ensure they were comfortable and relaxed whilst on the road.  

The quartet have moved into their new state-of-the-art enclosure at Chessington, where they will spend the next few months settling in and getting to know each other ahead of the launch of the resort’s new multimillion pound attraction, ZUFARI: Ride into Africa! in March 2013.

ZUFARI: Ride into Africa! will be a unique safari truck expedition into a mysterious African kingdom where a theme park adventure and live safari animals come together for the first time ever!

Marc Boardman, Zoo Manager at Chessington World of Adventures, says: “We are thrilled to welcome giraffes back to the resort for the first time since 1995. With any new animal arrival there are challenges to face, and we have recruited specialist giraffe handlers to ensure they have the best care possible. The new giraffe enclosure has some of the most modern facilities in Europe and it’s great to finally welcome its new residents.”

After a standard bedding-in period of two years, zookeepers at Chessington hope to welcome a female giraffe to the resort in the future to allow them to add the species to the Zoo’s already highly successful breeding programme.

Rothschild giraffes are native to the Kenyan and Ugandan areas of Africa and are a subset of the wider giraffe species. They are distinguishable from the lack of markings on the lower leg and the main pelt is of a lighter colouring than other subspecies. Rothschild giraffes are listed as endangered species as only a few hundred are known to exist in the wild. 

Chessington is currently expanding its resort by over 10% into the 22 acre site and welcoming a number of native African species for the launch of ZUFARI: Ride into Africa!. Over the next few weeks, the four giraffes will be joined by greater flamingos, blesbok, Nile lechwe, Grevy’s zebra and many more amazing animals. Three white rhinos are already settling in after arriving from Europe just before Christmas

David Smith, General Manager at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, says: “Giraffe are magnificent, majestic animals and we’re sure our visitors will be very excited to meet them next year. As the only safari experience inside the M25 and the only theme park attraction of its kind, ZUFARI: Ride into Africa! will allow people to get an authentic taste of Africa without having to venture far from the big city.”