Frederic Burk School Children Feeding Giraffes at the San Francisco Zoo

During their 1960 field trip to the San Francisco Zoo, Frederic Burk School children had the opportunity to feed giraffes through the enclosure fence. The towering animals leaned their long necks down to accept food directly from the students’ hands, often extending their long, prehensile tongues to grasp the treats. Smiles and laughter spread among the children as they feed the giraffes side by side. Scenes like this were a highlight of mid-century zoo visits, when public animal feedings were encouraged and created unforgettable moments of connection between children and wildlife.