Giraffe Encounters in Kenya: Facts & Conservation Efforts

Giraffes in Africa's parks and reserves leave a lasting impression. Their mahogany coats splashed with intricate chocolate-colored patches, stand out against the vast savanna dotted with acacia trees. Though lions and elephants might steal the show, the giraffes graze peacefully, their long necks a conspicuous sight in the wild.

Fascinating Facts about the Tallest Mammals

Giraffes are the Earth's tallest mammals with males reaching an astonishing 19 feet (5.8 meters), towering over a two-story building! Their necks alone can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) long.

Despite their size, giraffes are surprisingly resourceful. They can survive for 2-3 days without drinking water, getting their moisture from food and plant dew. Their long, purple tongues are both strong and unique. At 20 inches (50 cm), these prehensile appendages are powerful enough to grip branches and pull leaves into their mouths, and their dark color offers protection from the harsh sun. By browsing higher than most animals, they promote new plant growth for themselves and smaller grazers, creating a balanced ecosystem.

Communication, Speed, and Social Lives

Giraffes are vocal creatures, communicating through low-frequency hums, bellows, and moans that travel long distances. They have excellent eyesight too, with large, brown eyes and long eyelashes providing a near-360-degree view to spot predators and keep an eye on their young. And while their size might suggest otherwise, giraffes can be fast runners, reaching speeds of 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) in short bursts – a valuable skill for escaping danger or finding food.  

Giraffes are social animals, living in loose herds comprised mainly of females and their young. Males tend to be more solitary but will come together to compete for mates in a ritual called "necking," where they swing their necks at each other until one backs down. 

Giraffe Conservation 

The decline of giraffe populations in Africa is a significant threat, with some populations even disappearing entirely from seven countries. Habitat loss, human settlements, poaching, and climate change are all major contributors to this decline. All hope is not lost as several organizations are working to conserve giraffes, such as the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), the African Conservation Centre, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Kenyan Wildlife Service. These organizations work on a variety of projects, including:

• Habitat protection: Reserving land for giraffes and creating corridors between fragmented habitats.
• Community outreach: Educating local communities about the importance of giraffe conservation and involving them in conservation efforts.
• Anti-poaching patrols: Helping to deter and apprehend poachers.
• Research: Studying giraffe populations and their ecology to develop better conservation strategies.
• Captive breeding programs: Breeding giraffes in captivity to help supplement wild populations.

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation emphasizes that enhancing awareness and giraffe conservation efforts is crucial for their long-term survival. Land purchase and reforestation efforts, particularly acacia tree, their primary food source is absolutely important.

Four Species to Discover in Kenya:

Following the new taxonomic classification, there are four distinct giraffe species: Northern, Maasai, Reticulated, and Southern. Kenya is home to the Maasai, Reticulated, and the Nubian, which is a subspecies of the Northern.

Conservation efforts are showing promise. Amboseli National Park boasts the largest population of Maasai Giraffes in East Africa, according to Amboseli Conservation. The strongholds for Reticulated Giraffes lie in the northern Kenyan rangelands and the Laikipia Plateau. Nubian Giraffe populations thrive in Ruma National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Soysambu Conservancy in Lake Elementaita.

What About the Rothschild's Giraffe?

The familiar Rothschild's giraffe is now classified as the Nubian giraffe. The Safari Collection has documented this change and offers valuable insights on giraffe conservation. Their breeding program has increased giraffe populations and achieved the goal of eventually reintroducing them to the wild.