Worth reading: Yes

Summary: Zarafa was the first Giraffe in Paris.

This is her story from when she was caught and tamed as young calf in Ethiopia and her journey to the royal menagerie in France, captivating the world as she went.

Zarafa was a gift from the viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X of France.

The writing of this true tale is all over the place but the story is a very interesting one. Allin provides rich natural historic detail along with details of the turbulent times in which the event takes place.

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