Kenya is home to three of the four giraffe species, including the Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi tippelskirchi), found in central and southern Kenya.
Once the most populous giraffe species, with an estimated 71,000 individuals three and a half decades ago, only 45,400 Masai giraffe remain in the wild today. Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2018, Kenya, together with Tanzania, is their stronghold.
The rapid increase and expansion of human populations and settlements across Kenya pose significant threats to Masai giraffe. The loss of habitat, fragmentation of land due to increasing agricultural and pastoral land use, bushmeat poaching for bushmeat, traditional medicine, and prolonged droughts are the primary threats to their survival. Additionally, infrastructure development including the Standard Gauge Railway between Nairobi and Mobasa, Nairobi National Park bypass road, fencing and expansion of national roads, is dissecting across the country wildlife habitats including the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Tsavo National Park and Amboseli National Park.
Supported by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the Kenya Wildlife Service developed the country’s first-ever National Recovery and Action Plan for Giraffe in Kenya. In addition to threats and conservation priorities, it also highlighted the limited knowledge of the socio-economic and cultural importance of giraffe in Kenya. However, most significantly, little information is available on their number and detailed distribution..
As Masai giraffe are widespread and regularly move across the border between Kenya and Tanzania, it is important to gain a better understanding of their preferred seasonal habitats and landscape connectivity. GPS satellite tagging as part of our continent-wide Twiga Tracker Initiative will aid in identifying wildlife corridors and potential poaching hotspots for protected area planning. Understanding the impacts of a growing and geographically expanding human population will be key in securing the future of Masai giraffe in the country.
The Giraffe Conservation Foundation in collaboration with partners continues to conduct critical work to aid the long-term conservation of Masai giraffe across their range in Kenya. This work includes detailed surveys, environmental education for children, ranger support and training future conservation leaders.
