Hungry giraffe throws monkey wrench in opening of Tucson zoo

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A giraffe at the Reid Park Zoo was found munching on a mesquite tree outside her enclosure Wednesday morning.

Msituni's unscheduled snack time resulted in a delay of about an hour for the zoo to open for the day as emergency protocols were initiated and the zoo's new, 3-year-old resident eventually returned to her habitat, zoo officials said in a news release.

During her short time outside of the enclosure, Msituni remained calm, stayed in one place and observed her surroundings, the release said.

Msituni, a newer resident at Tucson's Reid Park Zoo, delayed the zoo's opening Wednesday when she was found outside her enclosure snacking on a mesquite tree.

Short-term modifications were being made to Msituni’s habitat before she will be able to reside there again. And “longer-term permanent modifications will be made as well to accommodate Msituni’s athletic and curious nature,” the release said.

Zoo operations then proceeded as usual, the release said.

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