In 1986, six Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi tippelskirchi) were translocated from Kenya to Akagera National Park in Rwanda, establishing the country’s only population of giraffe. Since then, the population has experienced significant growth.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding with African Parks, the NGO responsible for managing Akagera National Park, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation provides support for Masai giraffe conservation efforts. In collaboration, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and African Parks conducted Rwanda’s first-ever photographic surveys of the population, estimating it at just over 110 individuals. These numbers are a substantial increase from previous aerial survey estimates.
This ongoing increase in abundance underscores the positive impact of concerted management efforts by African Parks and the Rwandan government in securing and protecting the nation’s unique savannah ecosystems.
Together with the Rwandan government and African Parks, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation developed the first-ever National Giraffe Conservation Action Plan for Akagera National Park to guide future giraffe conservation efforts. The giraffe monitoring and GPS satellite tagging will help gain a deeper understanding of giraffe habitat use within the park. Armed with the most current data on population growth and habitat utilization, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, African Parks and the Rwandan government are committed to working together to ensure a promising future for Rwanda’s growing Masai giraffe population.
