The African continent is rich with wildlife
and a key focus for Marwell Wildlife’s conservation work. Into Africa was opened by Wilbur Smith, the acclaimed author, whose rich narrative brings Africa to life.
Visit this area to meet a fascinating array of wild animals including porcupines, Colobus monkeys, bongo, buffalo, dazzling fish, lizards and our gentle giants – the giraffes.
Environmental enrichment
Giraffe are very sociable animals so are kept as a family herd. In the wild, they spend a large amount of time browsing for food so in captivity we aim to replicate this and make their food challenging to find in order to encourage their natural behaviour.
Hay is placed in hay racks and nets of varying shapes, sizes and locations and browse (leaves on branches) is tied together and hung at a range of heights to force the giraffe to reach up high or crouch down low to find and access it. Occasionally we offer fruit & vegetables in feeding devices such as plastic water containers or wooden boxes containing holes which are just big enough for the giraffe’s tongue to fit through. The animal has to reach into the device, pick up the reward and extract it through the hole to be able to eat it.