Pittsburgh Zoo Breaks Ground on New Giraffe Care Center

The state-of-the-art facility will provide year-round care and new experiences for visitors.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Pittsburgh Zoo has broken ground on a new Giraffe Care Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will offer expanded space, improved animal welfare, and enhanced guest experiences when it opens in 2027.

Why it matters

The new Giraffe Care Center will allow the Pittsburgh Zoo to establish a giraffe breeding program, contributing to conservation efforts through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. It will also provide visitors with a more immersive, year-round experience connecting them to giraffe conservation in Africa.

The details

The Giraffe Care Center will feature a large dayroom, off-season viewing, and an expanded giraffe yard with a direct connection to the new facility. The flooring will have a natural substrate that is easier on the giraffes' joints, and the current water barrier in the habitat will be filled in to double the usable space. The new building will also allow for the introduction of additional African animal species in the future.

  • The Pittsburgh Zoo broke ground on the new Giraffe Care Center on Tuesday, February 12, 2026.
  • The Giraffe Care Center is anticipated to open in 2027.

The players

Pittsburgh Zoo

A zoo located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is home to a variety of animal species, including giraffes.

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What’s next

The zoo will continue construction on the Giraffe Care Center, with the goal of opening the new facility in 2027.

The takeaway

The Pittsburgh Zoo's investment in the new Giraffe Care Center demonstrates its commitment to animal welfare and conservation, as well as providing an enhanced experience for visitors to connect with these towering creatures and the efforts to protect them in the wild.