Eloise Ogden/MDN Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot has reticulated giraffes. On Saturday, the zoo will observe World Giraffe Day, a day held to raise support and awareness on the challenges giraffe face in the world.

Tall and long-necked reticulated giraffes attract much attention from visitors at Minot’s Roosevelt Park Zoo.

On Saturday, the zoo will observe World Giraffe Day with a number of activities planned from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and it will also be Member Appreciation Day at the zoo.

World Giraffe Day is an annual event initiated by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) to celebrate the tallest land-living mammal in the world.

The annual event is held worldwide to raise support, create awareness and shed light on the challenges giraffe face in the wild. Only about 111,000 giraffe remain in the wild, according to GCF.

Events planned for Saturday at the Minot zoo during World Giraffe Day include:

10 a.m.: Bounce House, education, craft , activity, and door prizes and raffle tables, also open all day.

11 a.m. and 3 p.m.: Giraffe feeding station. $5 per person feeding or $5 for children 10 years old accompanied by adult.

Noon: Enrichment display. Visitors can watch giraffes receive enrichment (toys).

1:30 p.m.: Giraffe training session and keeper chat.

2 p.m.: Drawing for door prizes. (Do not need to be present to win.)

Other items to be given away separately will include: (1) shadow a giraffe zookeeper experience; (2) giraffe T-shirt and souvenir RPZ giraffe cut; (3) “Juma, the Giraffe” book and souvenir RPZ giraffe cup. Cost is $2 per entry or $5 for three entries. Giraffe hoof print is on the silent auction.

All proceeds will go toward the zoo’s Change 4 Change Conservation Fund to directly help wild animals.

Roosevelt Park Zoo is a supporter of Care for Karamoja, Giraffe Conservation Alliance, Giraffe Conservation Foundation and Saving Animals from Distinction organizations.

As part of Membership Appreciation Day, root beer floats in color changing cups to take home will be free for members and a for a charge for nonmembers.