A growing family needs more room - and for giraffes that is no exception.
Baby Nia was born four months ago, and now Wellington Zoo is building a bigger home for her, mum, dad and great aunt Zahara - who is turning 20 on Sunday.
It is the first time the giraffe habitat has been expanded since it was first built in 2006.
Chris Jerram from Wellington Zoo said it was the first stage of a project set to take place over the next couple of years.
"We're basically creating an additional sheltered space for the giraffes," he said. "It's just creating more opportunities for the animal care team to be able to manage what is becoming a more complex and dynamic herd, with a maturing large male and a young calf."
While Wellington Zoo has spent about $400,000 to make small changes, including improving some of the yard space and building a giraffe trainer, Jerram said all of the animal habitats generally need to be upgraded every 10 years.
"The habitat is now almost 20 years old," he said. "In the zoo profession, animal welfare and science changes and adapts really quickly, so we need to be making sure that our asset is fit for purpose."
Construction started last week, and was expected to be finished in two weeks.
"The way it was designed was trying to make sure that we could put it all in, and put it up fast so we limited the total construction time."
Baby Nia with mum and dad. Photo: RNZ / Pretoria Gordon
He said it had not been easy to build a house for residents that weigh over a tonne and measure more than five metres tall.
"Designing for animals of this size is deceptively challenging - the habitat in the zoo is set up so you're at eye level with the giraffes, so you can lose perspective about how large they are."
"The steel needs to be bigger, all of the gates, and other bits and pieces that we use need to be bigger too."
The zoo also had to manage the giraffes living in the space at the same time.
"It's like taking apart half of your house and still having to live in it," Jerram said.
Wellington Zoo welcomed a male giraffe, Sunny, in 2019, and zookeeper Ashleigh Vinicombe said it was important they build this house so they have enough space for him.
"He is six years old now, so he is the youngest of the adults, but he is quite large. We can also keep him separate if the girls have had enough of him - sometimes you don't want to be hanging out with your manfriend all day."
Wellington Zoo has spent about $400,000 to make small changes, including improving some of the yard space and building a giraffe trainer. Photo: RNZ / Pretoria Gordon
While Vinicombe said the giraffes were hardy animals, they liked their creature comforts just like everyone else.
"Coming inside, and being able to take refuge, and use their heaters and their indoor spaces is really important for them."
Nia, Sunny, Zuri and Zahara will be able to move into their new home at the end of the month.
Funding has primarily come from Pub Charity, with some support from Wellington City Council.
