A new encounter programme at Ravengate Zoo is introducing giraffes to their feet in an effort to break down barriers and years of prejudice.
“They share the same space but live in two different worlds,” said controversial head of inclusivity Jeremy Neesen. “It’s very hierarchical.”
The brain of the elongated herbivore may be 5.5m away from its hooves offering “plenty of room for misunderstanding”.
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“Some haven’t addressed their feet for years,” said Neeson. “They exchange pleasantries at the watering hole but then they return to their own social strata and never communicate meaningfully.”
Social scientist Neeson is hoping to restore his professional reputation with this latest “Touch Your Toes, Let Your Toes Touch You” initiative. His previous study, “Be Yourself” – which tackled esteem issues among camouflaged animals, suggesting they show their “true colours” – was condemned by the World Wildlife Fund after it led to a massive rise in jungle predation.