Let’s rewind for a second. If you’ve seen HBO’s The Last of Us, then chances are you’re still thinking about that giraffe. Yes, that giraffe. The tall, gentle giant that casually strolls into the series finale and tugs at your heartstrings. For a show packed with fungal zombies, emotional wreckage, and hard-hitting moments, this scene managed to sneak in a rare dose of peace. But here’s the real kicker: the giraffe was real. No pixels, no render farms. Just one very tall actor named Nabo.
Wait, the Giraffe Was Real?
You heard right. That wasn’t some slick CGI trickery. That was Nabo, a 13-year-old Masai giraffe who lives at the Calgary Zoo. Standing at a proud 17 feet tall, Nabo became the most unexpected cast member of the entire show.
Most fans assumed the animal was digital. In an age where studios conjure up entire alien planets, why wouldn’t they animate a giraffe? But the showrunners had other plans. They went old-school. They went authentic. And boy, did it pay off.
Building the Perfect Illusion
So how do you go about shooting a giraffe scene in a post-apocalyptic world? First, you get access to a giraffe. Then you build a set right inside its home.
The production team constructed a detailed enclosure set directly in Nabo’s actual habitat at the Calgary Zoo. This wasn’t some slap-it-together weekend project. It took over a month of planning, building, and tweaking.
Why the slow pace? Because giraffes are sensitive creatures. You can’t just wheel in scaffolding and yell “Action!” and hope for the best. The crew had to let Nabo get comfortable with the new additions. They introduced props and equipment gradually, making sure he stayed calm and curious.
Bella Ramsey, who plays Ellie, praised the crew for how respectfully they treated the giraffes. She mentioned how everyone tiptoed around to keep the animals comfortable. No yelling. No loud movements. Just careful choreography between humans and wildlife.
The Blue Screen Magic
Alright, so the giraffe was real. But what about the crumbling city skyline in the background? That was all CGI. The team surrounded the giraffe’s enclosure with giant blue screens. Later, VFX artists painted in the ruined remains of Salt Lake City.
This mix of practical effects and digital enhancements worked like a charm. It gave the scene both grounding and grandeur. You believed in the moment, even if you knew it was filmed in a zoo and not a zombie-infested city.
Prepping Nabo for the Spotlight
Now let’s talk giraffe training. No, Nabo didn’t go to acting school. But he did need to feel safe around the show’s stars.
Animal trainers stepped in to help Nabo get used to Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal. They spent time with the actors, letting them feed and interact with the giraffe. The goal was to create a sense of familiarity. And it worked. Nabo ate from Bella’s hand like they’d been best buds for years.
Was it easy? Not even close. Giraffes can be skittish. One wrong move and the whole scene could’ve turned into a giraffe stampede. But the team pulled it off with patience, calm vibes, and a deep respect for their very tall co-star.
Why This Scene Hits So Hard
Alright, let’s zoom out for a second. What makes this scene so unforgettable?
For starters, it’s a moment of peace. After nine episodes of chaos, heartbreak, and mushroom-faced monsters, the giraffe strolls in like, “Hey, it’s gonna be okay.” It’s a rare and much-needed breath of fresh air—for Ellie, for Joel, and for us.
Plus, it’s not just fluff. The giraffe moment ties back to a scene from the video game, which fans instantly recognized. But even if you’ve never picked up a controller, the scene still works. It reminds us there’s still beauty in the world, even when everything’s gone sideways.
The best part? It shows us a version of Joel and Ellie that isn’t just surviving. They’re living. Smiling. Reconnecting.
Fun Facts You Might’ve Missed
- Nabo shares his enclosure with other giraffes, but he was the only one comfy on set.
- The production took over the giraffe habitat for several days, filming around the animal’s schedule.
- The blue screens were massive. They had to wrap around the entire enclosure to block out any modern-day details.
- Bella Ramsey called the scene one of her favorite moments to shoot.
A Moment Worth Holding Onto
So there you have it. The giraffe scene wasn’t just a random animal cameo. It was a carefully crafted piece of cinematic magic. It mixed real-life wonder with post-apocalyptic imagination. And somehow, it gave us all a bit of hope.
In a show about survival, loss, and tough choices, the giraffe offered something simple. A glimpse of beauty. A breath of calm. And the quiet reminder that even in a broken world, nature finds a way to shine through.
Honestly, that giraffe might’ve saved us all for a minute.
