06/06/2009

Associated Press

The North Carolina Zoo is giving its visitors a chance to feed its giraffes at eye level.

The zoo's new giraffe feeding platform called Acacia Station opens Saturday.

A $3 ticket will buy visitors a chance to ascend the 16-foot high platform to get a view of the exhibit's giraffes, zebras and ostriches from a whole new angle. Climbers will also receive a leaf to offer to the giraffes if one of them approaches for a snack.

Over the last year, the zoo has brought in four young giraffes. Two of them are about a year old and the other two are around 2 years old. They share the exhibit with Julie, the second oldest giraffe in a North American zoo.