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If you're here, then you've talked to Lauren about volunteering for the 2026 season. Let me know if you have any questions! 🙂 - Lauren Salzmann, Volunteer Coordinator, 608-283-1612, volunteer@henryvilaszoo.gov

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702 S. Randall Avenue
Madison, WI 53715

608.266.4732
zoo@henryvilaszoo.gov

Education Contact:
education@henryvilaszoo.gov

Volunteer Contact:
volunteer@henryvilaszoo.gov

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OPEN DAILY 9:30am - 5:00pm / Hours may vary on holidays

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Giraffe Feeding

Giraffe Feeding

See our herd like never before in the memorable up-close encounter. This popular activity is a unique way to meet our reticulated giraffe herd and learn more about their unique adaptations.

Educational Encounters

Educational Encounters

The new giraffe pavilion will include new spaces that will allow us to expand our popular education programs. Interactive interpretive signs will ensure all guests have the opportunity to learn more about our work and ways to help protect animals in the wild.

Indoor Herd Room

Indoor Herd Room

The Herd Room will be the largest indoor animal space at the Zoo, welcoming guests year-round. Visitors will get an up-close view of how our animal care team takes care of these majestic animals.

African Birds and Other Mammals

African Birds and Other Mammals

The Edge of Africa: Giraffe will give Henry Vilas Zoo the opportunity to introduce new species to the public. Animals like the critically endangered Rüppell’s griffon vulture, which is vital to Africa’s ecology, and Marabou stork with an impressive wing span that can be over 9 feet wide!

A Unique Event Space

A Unique Event Space

The Giraffe Pavilion event patio will be one of the most unique settings for events in Madison. Designed for small events for up to 200 people, this space has also been designed with accessibility in mind.

Advanced Animal Care

Advanced Animal Care

Designed with healthcare in mind, our design includes a working barn that will showcase how our animal care team works with our animals to have them voluntarily participate in their own healthcare. A moving wall will allow our veterinary team to perform wellness checks, get weights, trim hooves, and even get blood draws and administer vaccines to our giraffe herd.

Pavilion Entry

Pavilion Entry

Set to be the largest construction project the Zoo has ever undertaken; the Giraffe Pavilion will champion a whole new generation of conservationists and bring Henry Vilas Zoo into the forefront of zoos in the U.S.

Exterior Herd Room

Exterior Herd Room

Designed with sustainability in mind, our new giraffe building will incorporate rainwater reuse, low-carbon concrete, require minimal fossil fuel use and utilize Dane County off-site renewables.

Aerial View of Interior

Aerial View of Interior

Guests will be welcomed into our working barn, where we will have space to share conservation stories and invite people to get up close with our giraffe herd year-round.

Indoor Herd Room

Indoor Herd Room

The indoor herd room will provide almost triple the amount of space as our old building and incorporate a large garage door to let in natural light.

Stall View

Stall View

In addition to the herd room, the giraffe pavilion will feature individual stalls that will allow our animal care team to provide world-class healthcare for our giraffe herd. Utilizing the newest advancements in giraffe care, this state-of-the-art facility will offer safe spaces for our veterinary team to provide care and comfort.

Giraffe Feeding Platform

Giraffe Feeding Platform

Our new feeding platform will bring guests face-to-face with the tallest mammals on Earth! Puzzle feeders and animal enrichment activities will allow guests to learn more about the unique adaptations of these animals.