In Uganda today, Nubian giraffe numbers have risen to almost 2,000 – a testament to what is possible when conservation is met with persistent investment. As these populations rebound, we are witnessing the return of ancient behaviors: seasonal migratory patterns that are now being mapped for the first time by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) in partnership with the Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration (GIUM).
Reversing the “Silent Extinction”
For over 35 years, giraffe populations underwent a slow but steady contraction. Historically understudied and underfunded, the species faced a crisis that saw both the Nubian and Kordofan giraffe (both subspecies of the Northern giraffe) formally listed as Critically Endangered in 2018.
GCF operates a sustained, continent-wide initiative to stem this “silent extinction.” Through concentrated efforts with our partners in 21 African countries, giraffe numbers of all four species have climbed and stabilized in many of their remaining strongholds.
“A little bit of conservation management can have really measurable impacts over a decade,” says Michael Brown, GCF Conservation Science Coordinator. “With buy-in and investment these systems can recover.”
New Insights into Migration
In a significant step for spatial and conservation planning, GCF partnered with GIUM to map the migratory movements of Nubian giraffe in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park and Kordofan giraffe in the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem in Chad. These maps, now published in the Atlas of Ungulate Migration, reveal these giraffe making seasonal movements of up to 60 km.
Researchers attribute the emergence of these migrations to the highly seasonal habitats of these ecosystems and the growing numbers of giraffe the parks are now sustaining. “It’s the perfect storm for exhibiting migratory behaviors for a species we don’t typically consider migratory,” says Brown.
Challenges in Murchison Falls
In Murchison Falls, Nubian giraffe leave the park’s eastern delta as the rainy season begins, migrating west toward the savannah for drier conditions and different foliage. However, this journey now faces modern obstacles. On their route, Nubian giraffe must cross a recently paved highway where increased traffic poses a challenge to wildlife movement. Upon reaching their wet season range, they encounter new oil development; GCF continues to monitor the impact of this infrastructure.
Despite these disruptions, these migrations are believed to sustain higher numbers of Nubian giraffe than would otherwise be possible. Their ability to travel to find mates and locate seasonally shifting forage indicates a connected landscape. “It is a cool testament to what these animals can do when given the opportunity,” Brown adds.
Download the GIUM Fact Sheet: Nubian Giraffe – Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
Resilience in the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem
A similar story is unfolding in Chad. Following a period of intensive poaching in the early 2000s, Kordofan giraffe numbers plummeted. However, since 2010, Kordofan giraffe numbers have slowly rebounded, and with them, their seasonal migrations.
GCF initiated the first giraffe tracking program in Chad, tagging 36 animals over five years with GPS tracking devices. This data reveals that migration is essential for survival; in the wet season, rising water forces Kordofan giraffe to migrate west, with many animals traveling beyond park boundaries to find refuge. When the dry season returns, they migrate back to the park’s interior for consistent access to water and vegetation.
Download the GIUM Fact Sheet: Kordofan Giraffe – Zakouma National Park, Chad
Securing a Connected Future
These migratory movements underscore the importance of unprotected lands outside of formal parks and the need for cooperation across jurisdictional boundaries.
“Mapping the Kordofan giraffe’s movements in Zakouma and making these maps freely available for use in management and spatial planning are a great step for giraffe conservation in Chad,” says Stephanie Fennessy, GCF Executive Director. “Learning more about these iconic animals helps us to secure their future in the wild in Africa.”
