Currently, GCF is involved in and supports giraffe conservation initiatives in 21 African countries. Our work has an impact on over 400,000 sq km (100 million acres) of giraffe habitat and concerns all four species of giraffe.
Our involvement ranges from program implementation to providing technical support to partners, from conservation monitoring to hands-on conservation actions, from direct to indirect support.
Success needs to be measurable and our impact on giraffe conservation stands out. Our effective team is dedicated to securing a future for all giraffe populations in the wild. As a science-based organization, our conservation approach is founded on three main pillars.
With a strong technical background, GCF’s approach to giraffe conservation is based on solid science. We don’t have the luxury of trying to find perfect solutions for giraffe conservation problems – we have to act now on the best information available.
Giraffe can only be saved in Africa – by Africans. Using a strategic approach that involves all key partners is vital for the future of giraffe.
To secure a future for giraffe in the wild, conservation initiatives need to be driven by African governments. To ensure such buy-in, GCF works closely with a wide range of partners on the development and implementation of national and regional giraffe conservation strategies and action plans.
With a strong technical background, GCF’s approach to giraffe conservation is based on solid science.
The Twiga Tracker initiative is the largest GPS satellite tracking study of giraffe ever that aims to improve conservation efforts by better understanding their movements, spacial needs, and habitat use throughout Africa.
Decisive conservation actions need to happen NOW. And we can’t work in isolation – collaboration and strong local and international partners are key.
Translocations, habitat expansion, and collaborative efforts with African governments and local communities are only some of the conservation approaches that GCF puts to action to save giraffe in the wild. In particular translocations are an important tool in the conservation toolbox.
GCF's initiative is aimed at providing innovative approaches to giraffe conservation management through veterinary science and conservation medicine, addressing giraffe conservation priorities across Africa.
GiraffeSpotter is a photo-identification database that helps us to survey individual giraffe in the wild. This database uses AI-aided pattern recognition technology to identify each giraffe by its unique spot pattern.
Translocations, habitat expansion, and collaborative efforts with African governments and local communities are only some of the conservation approaches that GCF puts to action to save giraffe in the wild. In particular translocations are an important tool in the conservation toolbox.
GCF's research based on over 1,000 tissue samples collected from all major giraffe populations in Africa has revealed the existence of four distinct giraffe species and seven subspecies. These findings have significant conservation implications for the future of giraffe in Africa.
As the leader in wild giraffe conservation, GCF provides technical assistance and scientific support to African governments, international and national conservation NGOs and other partners worldwide.
The Twiga Tracker initiative is the largest GPS satellite tracking study of giraffe ever that aims to improve conservation efforts by better understanding their movements, spacial needs, and habitat use throughout Africa.
Giraffe can only be saved in Africa - by the people who share their living space with them. Working with local communities and enhancing conservation capacity is key to securing a future for giraffe in the wild.
We can only save what we know. To gain a better understanding of giraffe in the wild, GCF is working collaboratively with African governments, conservation NGOs, and researchers to refine understanding and ensure their long-term survival in Africa.
Enhancing the capacity of wildlife veterinarians, local communities, children, current and future conservation leaders is key to securing a future for giraffe in Africa. GCF remains at the forefront of such initiatives.
Counting giraffe should be easy, but is it really? To effectively conserve giraffe, it is vital to have as much information as possible available, and effective population surveys are often the first step.
To secure a future for giraffe in the wild, conservation initiatives need to be driven by African governments. To ensure such buy-in, GCF works closely with a wide range of partners on the development and implementation of national and regional giraffe conservation strategies and action plans.
Through the Giraffe Resource Centre, an online knowledge hub with over 1,500 articles and publications, GCF aims to make scientific information about giraffe easily accessible to everyone.
Wildlife veterinarians require very specialized skills to work with the unique and often dangerous species in the field without access to a fully equipped veterinary hospital. As vets are playing an increasingly important role in conservation, GCF set out to cover a vital need and offers an annual hands-on training course for African wildlife vets.
The 22-year civil war in Sudan decimated wildlife numbers in the country. Through a recent GPS satellite tagging project in Boma and Bandingilo National Parks we hope to gain valuable insights in the movement patterns of Nubian giraffe.
Botswana is home to two subspecies of giraffe, the Angolan and South African giraffe. The subpecies are geographically isolated, offering a unique opportunity to study speciation and conservation strategies.
The West African giraffe population in Niger has recovered from 49 individuals to over 600 today thanks to conservation efforts led by GCF and the Niger government. However, in a politically volatile region, challenges remain.
Reticulated giraffe have experienced a significant decline as a result of various threats, including habitat loss, poaching, and human conflict. As most reticulated giraffe live outside national parks, community engagement and collaborative partnerships are key to their long-term survival.
The Masai giraffe population in Kenya has experienced a significant decrease as a result of habitat loss, poaching, and other human-related hazards. To address this decline, the Kenya Wildlife Service, aided by GCF, has devised a National Recovery and Action Plan to safeguard this threatened species.
The GCF story started in Namibia, where we run the longest giraffe conservation monitoring program ever. Understanding the ecology of Angolan giraffe in one of Africa's last remaining wilderness areas continues to inform giraffe conservation actions across Africa.
Collaborative conservation efforts have led to a remarkable recovery of the Nubian giraffe in Uganda. GCF has worked with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to increase the population through conservation translocations and protecting habitat.
Human activities resulted in the local extinction of Nubian giraffe in Kenya. Conservation efforts have successfully reintroduced these giraffe to selected national parks and reserves, but enhancing education, awareness and capacity for Nubian giraffe conservation is crucial for their long-term survival.
In the late 19th century, rinderpest destroyed giraffe populations in Eswatini. But reintroduction efforts in the mid-20th century, mainly from South Africa, have led to a significant recovery of the southern giraffe population in the country.
The first-ever regional giraffe conservation strategy was developed with GCF's support and will guide giraffe conservation in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), which is home to over 10% of Africa's giraffe.
South Africa is a stronghold for giraffe on the continent, with the majority of giraffe occurring in Kruger National Park and on private game reserves. Understanding and management of small, isolated populations in the key challenge for giraffe in the country.
GCF and ZimParks are collaborating to protect giraffe populations in Zimbabwe. The development of a National Giraffe Conservation Strategy, GPS satellite tracking, genetic assessments, and awareness raising through education and research are some of the key initiatives.
GCF is committed to supporting Africa's conservation pioneers, with a particular focus on the vanishing Kordofan giraffe in Cameroon. Working with local groups like BEDD has led to vital research and a government collaboration to craft a comprehensive national conservation plan.
Little is known about giraffe in Ethiopia. GCF works with local partners to learn more about giraffe numbers and their distribution. All activities are guided by the first-ever Giraffe Conservation Action Plan for the country.
Classified as Critically Endangered, the Kordofan giraffe is probably the giraffe subspecies that is most in trouble. Chad is home to approx. 60% of the wild Kordofan giraffe population.
The Masai giraffe, once the most populous giraffe species, has experienced a significant decline due to habitat loss, climate change, poaching, and other human activities. GCF is working to protect this iconic species in this important landscape.
Together with local partners and the Zambian government, GCF is committed to securing a future for the small and isolated population of South African giraffe in Zambia, an important part of the KAZA TFCA.
Giraffe habitat extension through translocations is an important conservation tool. In collaboration with local partners, GCF helped to successfully establish a giraffe source population in Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi.
Akagera National Park in Rwanda is home to a small but steadily increasing population of Masai giraffe. The Rwandan government, African Parks and GCF are working closely together to support this positive trend.
The Luangwa giraffe is an isolated population in Zambia's South Luangwa Valley. In collaboration with local partners, GCF has significantly increased our knowledge of this unique giraffe subspecies.
Giraffe can only be saved in Africa - by the people who share their living space with them. Working with local communities and enhancing conservation capacity is key to securing a future for giraffe in the wild.
In Namibia, GCF runs the largest environmental education program in the country with regards to participation numbers with the aim to teach young Namibians about their environment, reconnecting them with nature through field-based learning, fostering environmental stewardship, and instilling sustainable behaviors.
Wildlife veterinarians require very specialized skills to work with the unique and often dangerous species in the field without access to a fully equipped veterinary hospital. As vets are playing an increasingly important role in conservation, GCF set out to cover a vital need and offers an annual hands-on training course for African wildlife vets.
Through the Giraffe Resource Centre, an online knowledge hub with over 1,500 articles and publications, GCF aims to make scientific information about giraffe easily accessible to everyone.
From our field station at the Etosha Heights Conservation Centre, GCF runs a comprehensive conservation and education initiative in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology and the Etosha Heights Private Reserve, adjacent to the iconic Etosha National Park in Namibia.
Enhancing the capacity of wildlife veterinarians, local communities, children, current and future conservation leaders is key to securing a future for giraffe in Africa. GCF remains at the forefront of such initiatives.
We envision a world where all giraffe can live wild and free within their historical ranges or habitats throughout Africa and are protected by the people around them.
