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It is April already – how did this happen?! Is it only us or does time go faster these days? Giraffe are certainly keeping us busy. For years, we have worked hard to draw attention to the plight of giraffe and now it feels like the rest of the world is finally sticking its neck out too. Interest for our long-legged friends comes in all shapes and forms, and we feel that it is our job to ensure that giraffe conservation is at the heart of all this interest. At the same time we continue to work towards saving giraffe throughout Africa. International media attention is great but in the end giraffe can only be saved in Africa.

World Giraffe Day – 21 June 2017

This fourth World Giraffe Day will be dedicated to Saving Masai Giraffe in Kenya and Tanzania. Masai giraffe are facing a wide range of threats, but the biggest by far is the rapid expansion of human populations, settlements and associated habitat loss throughout East Africa. There is simply less and less space remaining for wild animals – including giraffe. It is time to act NOW! And we can’t do this in is isolation. GCF is working closely with local and regional partners to ensure high priority for giraffe on national and regional conservation agendas. Together we can make a difference and secure a future for giraffe in Africa. For World Giraffe Day 2017, GCF is partnering with Kenya-Tanzania Borderland Conservation Initiative and its partners, as well as the Kenya Wildlife Service, focussing on community-based conservation of Masai giraffe. Find out more about the programme and get involved!

DRC’s Last Giraffe, Garamba National Park

With an estimated 40 Kordofan giraffe remaining in Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, their future is in dire straits. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, sadly the Park is best known for losing the last northern white rhino and the frequent rebel attacks. GCF has partnered with the DRC Government, African Parks and a Czech University in an effort to save these last remaining giraffe in the country. Read more here.

Conserving Namibia’s Desert-Dwelling Angolan Giraffe

GCF’s programme in north-western Namibia is the first long-term ecological monitoring effort of the desert-dwelling Angolan giraffe and one of the longest giraffe conservation studies. Working closely with local conservation partners and communities, the giraffe population is monitored monthly in the field to better understand their numbers, population dynamics, movements and much more. Have a look at the recent field trip reports to find out more about this programme in one of the last remaining wildernesses of Africa.

Enhancing Conservation Capacity in Namibia

As a Namibia organisation it is only natural that GCF is involved in key conservation and development aspects beyond giraffe conservation in the country. Environmental education and capacity enhancement in conservation are close to our hearts and our priorities across the continent. GCF works with three different age groups to encourage young Namibians to become passionate about conservation, enhance their skills and most importantly, protect giraffe. Read more about our conservation efforts and partnerships in Namibia here.

To support our important giraffe conservation work throughout Africa, please consider making a donation or adopting a giraffe.

Join the discussion One Comment

  • Kathy Milley says:

    Until April highlighted the plight of these beautiful animals, I had no idea that they were in such trouble. I never want to imagine a world without them. I am compelled to do what I can to help and have looked on your site for ways that I can “do something” as Alyssa puts it. Other than adopting, which I will be doing very shortly, are there other things that I can do far away in my Virginia home that would help you?