Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium | Giraffe Mixed Species Habitat

The Giraffe Mixed Species Habitat at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium transforms one of the Zoo’s most beloved experiences by bringing animal care and habitat together for the first time. Previously, giraffes walked a quarter mile each day between the barn and the savanna—limiting their time in the habitat and reducing the reliability of guest viewing. The new design removes this barrier entirely, placing a purpose-built care facility directly beside the habitat and allowing the giraffes to choose where they want to be throughout the year.
A New Standard for Giraffe Care
The 18,500-square-foot barn dramatically expands indoor space to support a growing, more complex herd. Increased capacity, flexible yard configurations, and enhanced husbandry spaces improve training, medical care, enrichment opportunities, and daily workflow for care staff. Night access to the habitat further strengthens animal agency, comfort, and natural rhythms, ensuring giraffes can move freely between environments on their own terms. Multiple naturalistic yards provide varied spaces for different herd structures, encouraging healthy movement and social behavior.

A Destination for the Africa Loop
Guests now arrive at a vibrant new plaza that seamlessly connects the giraffe experience with the sky safari station and neighboring rhino, chimpanzee, and hippo habitats. Indoor and outdoor feeding opportunities bring visitors face-to-face with the herd, while panoramic shaded views, indoor dining with sightlines into the barn, and inclusive family restrooms with adult changing and nursing facilities create a welcome oasis at the farthest point in the Zoo.

Shaped by a Complex Site, Unified by Purpose
Designed within a constrained footprint and shaped by topography, existing rides, service routes, and an active stream, the project reflects an integrated approach to animal wellbeing, operational efficiency, and guest experience. Every decision—from building placement to yard layout to guest circulation—was made to create a habitat rooted in choice, comfort, and connection.

This project is currently under construction, opening in 2026.