The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), in partnership with Angola’s Instituto Nacional da Biodiversidade e Áreas de Conservação (INBAC), has announced the successful reintroduction of Angolan giraffe to Bicuar National Park as part of an ambitious national conservation initiative.
Once widespread across southern Angola, native Angolan giraffe populations disappeared from much of their historic range following decades of civil conflict, habitat degradation, and poaching. Building on the recent successful reintroduction of two Angolan giraffe herds to Iona National Park in 2023 and 2024, this multi-year effort represents a vital step forward in restoring Bicuar’s historical megafauna and ecological integrity.
The programme directly aligns with the newly approved National Giraffe Conservation Action Plan for Angola (2026–2030), recently endorsed by the President of Angola.
“Reintroducing Angolan giraffe is about far more than restoring a species – it is about repairing functional ecosystems. With only 140,000 giraffe remaining in all of Africa and an estimated 15,600 Angolan giraffe this reintroduction comes at a pivotal moment,” said Dr. Julian Fennessy, Co-Founder and Director of Conservation at GCF. “Giraffe act as landscape architects and ecosystem engineers. Their browsing habits maintain vegetation structure that supports wide biodiversity, while their return brings a message of environmental recovery and resilience to Angola.”
Science-Based Reintroduction in Bicuar National Park
Following rigorous habitat suitability and translocation feasibility assessments conducted jointly by GCF and INBAC in 2025, Bicuar National Park was confirmed to offer ideal conditions for the species’ immediate return.
Today’s release marks the successful completion of the first operational phase, bringing a founder population of 12 Angolan giraffe from Namibia to Bicuar National Park. To maximize genetic diversity and long-term population viability, the 12 giraffe were carefully selected from two distinct properties in Namibia.
All 12 individuals were fitted with solar-powered GPS satellite tracking devices to allow the GCF and INBAC field teams to remotely monitor their movement patterns, home range establishment, and habitat use, observing whether they remain together or explore their new home independently. Pending the success of this initial group, additional translocations will follow in the coming years to further strengthen the population.
Part of a Broader National Vision
While the immediate milestone focuses on Bicuar National Park, this translocation is part of a larger, long-term national recovery framework. Comprehensive feasibility studies evaluated multiple historic ranges across Angola; based on these assessments, future phases of the national programme aim to expand Angolan giraffe reintroductions and augmentation efforts to additional protected areas, including Kissama National Park and Chimalavera Regional Park, as resources allow.
While ecological assessments confirmed Bicuar’s readiness, securing dedicated funding remains essential for ongoing operational execution, monitoring, and future translocations. GCF and INBAC continue to appeal to international conservation partners, philanthropic organizations, and visionary leaders to support this multi-year effort.
“This ongoing initiative requires significant funding for cross-border logistics, veterinary support, satellite tracking, and ground-based park monitoring,” added Stephanie Fennessy, Co-Founder and Executive Director of GCF. “With continued financial support, we can ensure that a thriving, self-sustaining population of Angolan giraffe once again roams the savannahs of Bicuar National Park for generations to come. In the end, saving giraffe is pretty simple: more giraffe in more habitat, that’s how we at GCF are making difference!”
