Edinburgh's tallest residents enjoy World Giraffe Day
Edinburgh Zoo's tallest residents were enjoying the high life as the attraction celebrated World Giraffe Day at the weekend.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) attraction has since 2021 been home to five male Nubian giraffes named Ronnie, Arrow, Fennessy, Gerald and Gilbert.
They live in a £2.8 million state of the art bachelor pad including high level walkways to allow visitors to meet them face-to-face, with an outdoor enclosure the size of a football pitch with some of the best views in the city.
The world's tallest animals at up to 18 feet tall, they arrived in Scotland four years ago thanks to a partnership involving the RZSS, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and sponsors Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
The lofty creatures help to educate the public about giraffes' plight in the wild, while the partnership also helps save declining wild populations by funding vital conservation work in Africa.
Keepers in Edinburgh marked World Giraffe Day on Saturday with special enrichment for the animals and a range of giraffe-related activities including crafts and games for children.
The Zoo said: 'We're proud of our partnership with Giraffe Conservation Foundation and Glenmorangie which helps protect giraffes in Uganda through science and genetic expertise.
'Every ticket to the zoo and giraffe adoption purchased helps protect the species in the wild. Together we can stand tall for giraffes and make a difference.'
World Giraffe Day is a GCF initiative to raise awareness and support for giraffe conservation in the wild. It is celebrated each year on June 21, dubbed 'the longest day for the tallest animal'.
The Foundation's newly published State of Giraffe 2025 report reveals conservation initiatives are having a positive effect.
Despite decades of decline and ongoing threats, three of the four distinct giraffe species in Africa are showing positive population trends as a 'direct result of effective conservation actions, dedicated research, and growing global awareness'.
Stephanie Fennessy, GCF's Executive Director, said: 'Not only are our conservation efforts paying off, but with the support of our partners, we are getting better at monitoring and protecting these iconic creatures.'
21/6/2025 World Giraffe Day at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson
21/6/2025 World Giraffe Day at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson
21/6/2025 World Giraffe Day at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson
21/6/2025 World Giraffe Day at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘It's a miracle he survived', hillwalker plunges 160ft in horror sheer drop fall on Scots mountain
'Where he fell has almost certain fatal consequences. He was very lucky indeed' RESCUE MISSION 'It's a miracle he survived', hillwalker plunges 160ft in horror sheer drop fall on Scots mountain Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HILLWALKER has baffled rescuers after miraculously surviving plunging more than 160 feet in Glen Coe. The man in his 30s fell from a precarious ledge over 1600 feet up an iconic Scottish mountain. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The man in his 30s fell from a precarious ledge over 1600 feet up an iconic Scottish mountain Rescuers said he faced a sheer drop fall with 'almost certain fatal consequences'. The man was with a group on Gearr Aonach, the middle of the Three Sisters range in Glen Coe. But he fell in an area known as The Zig Zags last weekend. Five members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team were scrambled while another rescue was happening at the same time in Glen Etive – and what turned out to be the third in a day. 'He fell on a vertical drop of 164 feet,' said deputy team leader Brian Bathurst. 'It has become a particular accident blackspot – with three call outs recently to that same spot. It appears people are misjudging the junction. 'He hit a ledge on the way down and suffered multiple injuries and was in a critical condition. It is a miracle he survived. It is very rocky terrain. 'Where he fell has almost certain fatal consequences. He was very lucky indeed.' An Inverness-based coastguard search and rescue helicopter flew the walker to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. His condition is unknown but is no longer life threatening. Watch shock moment couple cheat death as they fall off 5,000ft mountain while taking risky shortcut to avoid queue The team was so short-handed that day that veteran rescuer Ronnie Rogers, who is in his 70s, helped out with the Glen Etive rescue involving a man who suffered broken ribs after falling into a burn. 'Knowing we were going to be short handed, Ronnie once again laced up his boots and raced into the Glen to help despite the fact that after 50 years he officially 'retired' from front line team duties in November 2022,' added Mr Bathurst. 'He is a legend. Since stepping back, Ronnie has helped with team callouts by calling team members on the phone to deploy them to incidents so was well aware that help was needed that day. 'We would like to wish all the casualties well in their recovery and as always a huge thank you to the helicopter crews and everyone else involved.'
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh's tallest residents enjoy World Giraffe Day
Edinburgh Zoo's tallest residents were enjoying the high life as the attraction celebrated World Giraffe Day at the weekend. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) attraction has since 2021 been home to five male Nubian giraffes named Ronnie, Arrow, Fennessy, Gerald and Gilbert. They live in a £2.8 million state of the art bachelor pad including high level walkways to allow visitors to meet them face-to-face, with an outdoor enclosure the size of a football pitch with some of the best views in the city. The world's tallest animals at up to 18 feet tall, they arrived in Scotland four years ago thanks to a partnership involving the RZSS, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and sponsors Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The lofty creatures help to educate the public about giraffes' plight in the wild, while the partnership also helps save declining wild populations by funding vital conservation work in Africa. Keepers in Edinburgh marked World Giraffe Day on Saturday with special enrichment for the animals and a range of giraffe-related activities including crafts and games for children. The Zoo said: 'We're proud of our partnership with Giraffe Conservation Foundation and Glenmorangie which helps protect giraffes in Uganda through science and genetic expertise. 'Every ticket to the zoo and giraffe adoption purchased helps protect the species in the wild. Together we can stand tall for giraffes and make a difference.' World Giraffe Day is a GCF initiative to raise awareness and support for giraffe conservation in the wild. It is celebrated each year on June 21, dubbed 'the longest day for the tallest animal'. The Foundation's newly published State of Giraffe 2025 report reveals conservation initiatives are having a positive effect. Despite decades of decline and ongoing threats, three of the four distinct giraffe species in Africa are showing positive population trends as a 'direct result of effective conservation actions, dedicated research, and growing global awareness'. Stephanie Fennessy, GCF's Executive Director, said: 'Not only are our conservation efforts paying off, but with the support of our partners, we are getting better at monitoring and protecting these iconic creatures.' 21/6/2025 World Giraffe Day at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson 21/6/2025 World Giraffe Day at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson 21/6/2025 World Giraffe Day at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson 21/6/2025 World Giraffe Day at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
17-06-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Floral Clock is bloomin' lovely this year
The Floral Clock in Princes Street Gardens is all spruced up and looking lovely now that the council's parks department have created the 2025 display which commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). The Rt Hon Lord Provost was joined by representatives from RNIB and visually impaired members of the community to mark the completion of the new design, which takes three gardeners around six weeks to create. More than 35,000 flowers and plants are used to create the face of the clock, which will be in bloom until October. This includes plants like antennaria, crassula, echevaria, sedum and saxifrage and annuals such as pyrethrum, begonias and geraniums. Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: 'Seeing the floral clock take shape is a wonderful annual tradition and this year doesn't disappoint, with a beautiful display in honour of a worthwhile cause. 'The RNIB provides essential support to blind and visually impaired people, and in 2025 they mark a real milestone with the 200th anniversary of braille. I hope the clock's design will give people pause to reflect on just how important braille is to all those to use it. 'Thanks to the hard-working parks team who have spent the past six weeks creating the clock, which will be enjoyed by many thousands of people throughout summer. 'The RNIB is the UK's leading sight loss charity which offers practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers. 'This year, the RNIB is marking the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille, a code based on six dots used to represent the alphabet and numbers.' James Adams, Director of RNIB Scotland, said: 'It is a great honour that RNIB has been chosen for this year's floral clock. It marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of braille which opened up opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to be able to access the written word, and with that came the liberation of being able to also receive information that is taken for granted by wider society. 'Braille is a system that endures, and continues to transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people, offering them privacy, independence, and opportunity. RNIB was brought into existence to improve tactile literacy and we still work every day to widen access for blind and partially sighted people. 'Therefore, we are delighted to have Braille200 so prominently marked in the heart of Edinburgh and give everyone the opportunity to celebrate Braille and include accessibility in their lives.' This is the oldest floral clock in the world and was first made in 1903. Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. L-R James Adams, director rnib Scotland, Alan Stewart, community member Gillian Hallard RNIB Scotland Robin Spinks, RNIB Lord Provost Jane Coates community manager rnib Scotland Lorna, community member Jimmy Melhench, community member Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. L-R James Adams, director rnib Scotland, Alan Stewart, community member Gillian Hallard RNIB Scotland Robin Spinks, RNIB Lord Provost Jane Coates community manager rnib Scotland Lorna, community member Jimmy Melhench, community member Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. L-R Lord Provost Robert Aldridge Jane Coates community manager RNIB Scotland Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Floral Clock official opening Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens. Pic Alan Simpson 17/6/2025 Like this: Like Related
