The Towering History of the Dallas Zoo’s Iconic Giraffe Statue
Drivers navigating Interstate 35 near the Dallas Zoo have long utilized a specific landmark to guide their way: a massive, 67.5-foot-tall statue of a giraffe. While the bronze and Plexiglas figure has stood as a community staple since its installation on January 22, 1997, its history involves interstate transport, artistic adjustments, and a decades-long rivalry regarding its height.
The statue was created by Bob Cassilly, a renowned St. Louis-based artist and sculptor best known for founding the whimsical City Museum. Cassilly designed and constructed the piece in his Missouri studio before transporting it to Texas in sections aboard three flatbed trucks. Originally, the design called for a height of approximately 50 to 55 feet. However, following a suggestion from local columnist Larry Powell to increase its visibility, the height was extended. The final structure reaches 67.5 feet, a measurement that includes a distinct 40-inch tongue.
For nearly 20 years, this adjustment allowed the zoo’s giraffe to claim the title of the tallest statue in Texas, surpassing the famous Big Tex and the giant Sam Houston statue in Huntsville. This specific claim to fame sparked objections from some traditionalists. Local critics occasionally argued that a Texas hero like Sam Houston deserved the distinction of being the state’s tallest monument rather than a zoo animal, with some viewing the giraffe’s “tongue extension” as a mere technicality used to seize the record.
Despite these debates, the statue remained a point of pride for the zoo and the city, successfully fulfilling its original mission to serve as a visual marker for passing motorists. After weathering nearly three decades of storms and sun, the statue recently underwent a three-week refurbishment project to restore its shine and ensure structural integrity for the coming decade. While it no longer holds the title of Texas’ absolute tallest statue—having been surpassed by newer monuments—it remains a critical piece of public art connecting the community to the zoo’s history.
dallasnews.com
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