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WGD_2016-03182016_1After an amazing World Giraffe Day 2015 with Operation Twiga and the successful movement of endangered Rothschild’s giraffe into a new area in Uganda, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is excited to launch a new campaign for World Giraffe Day, 21 June 2016Putting people at the centre of giraffe conservation.

With less than 90,000 giraffe remaining in the wild, it is time to act NOW. It is imperative that we secure a future for all giraffe in Africa. Depending where you are in the world, World Giraffe Day (WGD) will celebrate the world’s tallest animal on the longest day and the longest night of the year (the summer and winter solstice).

WGD 2016 Photo Competition

To increase awareness for giraffe conservation we are excited to announce a Photo Competition for WGD 2016. Submit your most amazing giraffe shots to [email protected] or through the GCF or WGD Facebook page before 22 June 2016 and stand a chance to win one of two GCF merchandise packs. Our panel of judges is made up of professional wildlife photographers and conservationists from Namibia and they will select the winning image as well as a popular choice award that can be voted for through Facebook. A maximum two photo entries per person are allowed and photos should be submitted together with your name, email address, country of residence, location where the photo was taken and a photo title/caption. You can download more information and the terms and conditions of the WGD 2016 Photo Competition here: GCF World Giraffe Day 2016 Photo Competition Terms and Conditions

The photo competition is now closed and we are excited to announce the winner (jury choice), winner (popular choice) and 4 runners-up:

Hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: #Savegiraffe #WGD2016

WGD 2016 – Putting people at the centre of giraffe conservation

Giraffe populations across the African continent face different challenges that require unique approaches to securing their future. For World Giraffe Day 2016, GCF is launching two major fundraising awareness campaigns for Kenya and Namibia, with the goal of raising US$50,000 for each respective country.

Kenya

The WGD 2016 fundraising campaign will help protect reticulated giraffe in the northern part of Kenya. Reticulated giraffe numbers have declined by almost 80% over the last three decades, with only 8,600 individuals remaining in the wild today. Habitat loss and illegal hunting are the greatest threats in their natural habitat. To be able to protect reticulated giraffe in northern Kenya it is vital to learn more about their numbers, their distribution, their seasonal migration patterns, and how much space they need. The project is a community-based collaborative conservation effort, spearheaded by San Diego Zoo Global together with several Kenyan organisations, and the help of the local people of northern Kenya.

Namibia

Conservation happens by connecting to our environment and the only way to assure a future for giraffe in Africa is through people. We at GCF believe that Environmental Education at an early age is the key. The Khomas Environmental Education Programme (KEEP) aims to inspires young Namibians to care for their environment. Through a targeted hands-on field-based programme, KEEP provides them with the opportunity to reconnect with nature. Teaching young Namibians about their environment is essential for the conservation of giraffe and their habitat. KEEP helps to build a culture of environmental awareness by teaching social responsibility and conscientious action amongst young Africans and future leaders.

You can support these important, innovative and unique giraffe conservation efforts by helping us to raise much-needed funds on World Giraffe Day 2016.

How would your support help? Here are some examples:

  • US$15 could support an exciting and interactive day in the bush for a Namibian student
  • US$25 could pay for batteries for GPS equipment to monitor giraffe and their movements in the wild
  • US$50 could provide KEEP workbooks and certificates for an entire school class
  • US$100 could provide a healthy lunch for an entire school class during their field outing or pay for a pair of binoculars to monitor giraffe and their movements
  • US$250 could provide transport for a school class to spend a day in the bush with KEEP or pay a month’s salary of a local Kenyan field ranger to monitor giraffe and their movements
  • US$300 could pay for a camera trap including batteries and SD cards to monitor giraffe and their movements in the wild
  • US$1,000 could support fitting a GPS satellite collar to a reticulated giraffe in northern Kenya
  • US$2,500 could pay for one GPS satellite collar to monitor reticulated giraffe movements remotely including download time

In the past, zoos and other partners from around the world have enjoyed great success in raising awareness and funds on World Giraffe Day. Please dig deep and help us to ensure a future for all giraffe in Africa. GCF’s VIP Partner Leiden Conservation Foundation will again champion our WGD efforts and has committed to matching all new donations from US$1,000 received in the USA dollar-for-dollar up to a total of US$25,000. Who is next to stick their neck out for saving giraffe in Africa?

Join the discussion 8 Comments

  • What else can I do.

    • GCF says:

      You can help us spread the word on the plight of giraffe! Tell all your friends that giraffe numbers are plummeting and that this needs attention.

  • Layne fowler says:

    How can I get involved? I really am looking into getting involved in a way more substantial that just donating or spreading the word. I would love to help.

    • Laura says:

      You should check out your local zoo and see if they have Giraffes! As the Volunteer Coordinator at a zoo with Reticulated Giraffes, my volunteers help educate our guests about these animals and use touchable artifacts (casts of a skull, vertebra, toe bone, and leg bone) as well as other interactive objects to raise awareness and get people interested. We also celebrate World Giraffe Day!

  • Donald Dey says:

    My daughter and I were honored to be on the ground in Namibia last week with GCF team that collared two giraffes and also darted 3 others for DNA samples. The CountryWalkers/Ultimate Safari trip is well worth looking into for any giraffe lover (and I’d guess we all are if on this site??) – and advocate of conservation in general!!

    • sfennessy says:

      Hi Donald, thank you for your kind words and we are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip! Thank you so much for sticking your neck out for giraffe conservation in Africa!

      • Donald Dey says:

        Ha – either you’ve been looking for the right chance to use the “neck out” line or it is a standard – but funny and appropriate both… not sure you know, but Ultimate is the on-ground partner of US company Country Walkers who had ‘marketed’ the trip in US and who Nik and I booked thru directly. I have been having conversations with them about the trip and my desire/willingness to help market it should they opt to do it or similar again in ’17… in the glow of success on the last night, Julian had said he would love to do it again at least once annually. With some time to reflect – is that still the case??