CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Thursday brought springtime weather to the Chicagoland area resulting in a lot of people venturing outside to places like Brookfield Zoo.
But the kids on spring break weren't the only ones galloping around the zoo on Thursday afternoon. The giraffes were able to prance around and stretch their legs in their outdoor area for the first time this year.
The zoo's giraffes are mainly kept in an indoor habitat.
"When you get a chance to come out and see them start to sprint and leap and jump around, it's pretty exciting," Gamble said. "To see an animal so majestic and large do something like that is spectacular."
Gamble said the giraffe population is in rapid decline, so the zoo takes pride in getting to tell their story and showcase their skill and speed to guests like Paul Eggerding.
"I like their spots," Eggerding's daughter said. "They look like granite."
The herd of four giraffes, Potoka, Arnieta, Ato, and Jasiri will have access to their outdoor habitat, weather permitting, for the next several motnhs.
According to the zoo, between the warmer weather and spring break, more than 17,000 people visited Wednesday and they expected similar numbers on Thursday.