Evan Smith, a part-time keeper at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, was working at the Giraffe feeding station Tuesday afternoon. As he fed Zuri, a 23-year-old giraffe, he chatted with patrons as they came and marveled at the length of her tongue, which she used to grab the lettuce leaves.
Smith explained giraffe eating habits and behavior to the visitors. The lettuce, explained Smith, is like a green "water snack" for them, very healthy and not fattening.
From Zuri's behavior it appeared she was enjoying herself, wrapping her long dark tongue around as many leaves as were offered by the keeper and the visitors. Zuri is currently the oldest giraffe at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.
