George the giraffe, recognized as the tallest ever recorded, stood at an impressive 5.8 meters (19 feet) tall.

Quick Facts

This Masai giraffe arrived at Chester Zoo in the UK from Kenya in 1959 and grew so tall by age nine that his horns nearly touched the 6.1-meter ceiling of the Giraffe House. He passed away in 1969, leaving a legacy as a cheeky celebrity who playfully snatched visitors' hats with his height advantage.

  • Height : 5.8 m (19 ft), towering over typical male giraffes at 4.6–6 m.
  • Weight : Estimated around 1,500–1,930 kg for adult males like him.
  • Lifespan at zoo : Lived until 1969, captivating crowds for a decade.

His Story

Imagine a giraffe so enormous he had to duck through doorways—George was that legend, born in Kenya and shipped to England as a young bull. Zookeepers noted his unusually rapid growth, outpacing even Masai giraffe norms, though theories on his extreme stature remain speculative, possibly tied to genetics or nutrition. His skeleton isn't publicly displayed today, unlike an earlier namesake from London Zoo in the 1800s (5.79 m), but George's Guinness record endures.

Giraffe Heights Compared

Giraffe| Height| Location/Details
---|---|---
George (Tallest Recorded)| 5.8 m (19 ft)| Chester Zoo, died 1969 5
Typical Male| 4.6–6 m (15–20 ft)| Wild Masai 3
Typical Female| 4–5.2 m (13–17 ft)| Across species 3
Newborn| 1.9 m (6 ft)| At birth 3
Current Tallest Living (Forest)| 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in)| Australia Zoo 3

Trending Context

No major 2026 forum buzz on George lately, but giraffe heights spark viral awe in wildlife threads, often compared to modern stars like Forest. Discussions highlight conservation, as giraffe populations face threats despite their iconic stature.

TL;DR : George reached 5.8 meters, the record holder, blending zoo fame with natural wonder.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.