Giraffes journey to Scotland in custom-built trailer - avoiding low bridges

Published on 05/10/2012 02:25

IT may have taken a bit of effort but Blair Drummond’s residents are finally settling into their new home.

Giant giraffes Harriet, seven, and 14-year-old Keisha had to be transported from Twycross Zoo in Atherstone, Warwickshire to the Stirlingshire safari in a specially-built trailer.

The extra-tall trailer arrived on Thursday after the seven hour journey which avoided all low bridges.

Gary Gilmour, Blair Drummond park manager, said the giraffes’ driver took care to avoid low bridges on the seven-hour journey.

Their travelling trailer was designed in the Netherlands with giraffes in mind and has a mobile roof that can be adjusted to reach 20ft.

Mr Gilmour said Harriet, who stands at 18ft, is one of the tallest female giraffes he has seen.

She and Keisha have now joined the other females in the park’s herd: Bella, three, Ruby, four, and Kelly, 12.

“The move went great and they have been calm the whole time. They are still getting used to the change but both have been out exploring their new home,” Mr Gilmour said.

“Harriet is a really friendly giraffe and has mixed well with our girls but Keisha is a bit stand-offish and not too sure at the moment, which is a bit surprising as she is the tallest of them all, at around 18ft.

“The new giraffes will be on public show as from today.”

Giraffes are the world’s tallest mammals and can run at speeds of 35mph over short distances.