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Why Europe's giraffe experts are gathering at Bristol Zoo Project

BBC A giraffe in its enclosure at Bristol Zoo Project. there is a platform above the ground where a zoologist is handing food to a giraffeBBC
Bristol Zoological Society aims to prevent species extinction and recover wildlife populations

World-leading experts in giraffe care and conservation are gathering at a zoo in a bid to improve animals' lives.

The Bristol Zoo Project is hosting a four-day training conference on specialist care for giraffes.

It is hoped the conference will help zoos enrich the lives of giraffes in captivity across the world.

Amy Schilz, an expert from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado, said the conference was a "melting pot of ideas".

The senior animal behaviourist is based at the International Centre for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe in North America, whose experts are leading the event.

A women smiling at the camera with a giraffe in the background
Amy Schilz is visiting from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which has a specialist giraffe centre

"I love this, this is my favourite part of my job.

"I love having people come from all over get together in one big melting pot of ideas so we can progress forward giraffe care," she said.

The event is bringing together zookeepers from across Europe for the first time to discuss the latest research in nutrition and specialist welfare for these animals.

'Silent extinction'

As a conservation charity, the Bristol Zoo Project (BZP) says it works to conserve species and protect habitats in the wild, as well as contributing to health and welfare research and implementation.

Will Walker, curator of mammals at BZP said: "The idea of this conference is to basically increase all of our knowledge on training and things like hoof care, blood draw and all sorts of things we do with our animals.

"Giraffes are one of those animals where everyone thinks there is loads of them, if you go on safari you will see a giraffe but they're going through what we call a silent extinction."

A woman holding a ball up to a giraffe's mouth
Bristol Zoological Society is a conservation and education charity

Mr Walker added: "Their numbers have crashed by more than 30% in the past 20 years so it's really important we do all we can to look after them."

Helen Clarke Bennett, team leader of the African section of Dublin Zoo said it was "fantastic" to meet so many experts.

A giraffe's head
It is hoped the sessions will contribute to the conservation of endangered giraffe species

Sessions are taking place in the zoo's Giraffe House, which is home to three male reticulated giraffes.

They started on Monday and will finish on Thursday.

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