Giraffes at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs — Live Webcam

A Zoo Atop a Mountain

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is no ordinary zoo. It's built into a mountainside at 6,714 feet (2,046 meters) above sea level, making it the highest zoo in the United States. From the giraffe enclosure, there's a panoramic view of Colorado Springs and Cheyenne Mountain itself. The live webcam broadcasts this mountain landscape in real time — sandy ground, straw canopies, and the majestic inhabitants of an African corner in the heart of Colorado.

Reticulated Giraffes — The Pride of the Zoo

The enclosure is home to reticulated giraffes — a species native to the Horn of Africa. They're easily recognized by their large polygonal chestnut-colored patches, separated by a network of white lines that extend all the way down their legs to the hooves. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo holds the status of the most successful captive breeding center for this species: 197 giraffes have been born here since 1954. This is a record among North American zoos.

Hand-Feeding — The Main Attraction

One of the zoo's signature activities is the chance to hand-feed the giraffes. Visitors climb to an elevated boardwalk that's at the animals' head level and offer them lettuce leaves. The giraffes approach the platform on their own, and you can pet their soft muzzles while they take the treat with their long dark tongue. There are usually three feeding stations, but in the new habitat opening in 2026, there will be 11 stations.

Meet the Herd

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo herd consists of about 16–21 reticulated giraffes. Among them are some stars. In April 2025, the zoo said goodbye to the legendary male Mahali, who lived to be 22 years old. In July 2025, a calf named Viv was born — the third offspring of female Msitu and male Khalid. The smallest in the herd is Kinda, who arrived in May 2025 and stands out with her dark brown coloring. Ten-month-old male Kari arrived from Roosevelt Park Zoo in North Dakota in September 2025.

Breathtaking Views

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is called "America's Mountain Zoo" for good reason. The giraffe feeding platform offers a breathtaking view of Cheyenne Mountain and the city of Colorado Springs below. The rocky landscape elements, trees, and shrubs create the feeling that you're somewhere in the foothills of East Africa, not in the state of Colorado. The real-time camera lets you see this panoramic view without having to climb to a two-kilometer elevation.

Habitat Expansion — 2026 Project

The zoo is investing $40 million in a major renovation of the giraffe habitat. The project includes new spacious enclosures, additional feeding stations, and improved conditions for the herd. The opening is scheduled for 2026. This will allow even more visitors to observe reticulated giraffes up close, and the live webcam will show the updated space from its first days of operation.

Practical Information for Travelers

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is located southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, on the grounds of Cheyenne Mountain. It's one of the region's largest tourist attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. In addition to giraffes, the zoo is home to elephants, gorillas, tigers, penguins, and more than 170 other species. But the giraffe platform remains the most photographed spot — the chance to be at eye level with a five-meter-tall animal is truly unforgettable.

What You Can See on the Camera

The live camera broadcasts the open giraffe enclosure at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. In the frame are several reticulated giraffes moving leisurely across the sandy terrain, resting under straw umbrella canopies on wooden posts, or reaching for tree foliage. In the background, you can see metal mesh fencing, rocky landscape elements, zoo buildings, and visitors on the elevated platform. The shadows from the canopies move across the sand throughout the day, and the mountain light of Colorado Springs gives the picture its characteristic warm tones. The camera operates in real time, allowing you to observe the herd at any time.