THE GENTLE GIANTS
- Apr 7, 2018
- 5 min read
The giraffe is one of the most iconic land mammals on the planet. There tall structure and almost slow motion running strides make the gentle giant of the Savannah stand out from the rest.
In the world there exists four species of giraffe. They are southern giraffe, northern giraffe, reticulated and Maasai giraffe. The southern and northern giraffe have two and three sub-species respectively. The subspecies of southern giraffe are Angolan giraffe and South African giraffe while those for northern giraffe are Nubian, kordofan and west African giraffe
Common name Scientific name Population
Southern giraffe Giraffa giraffa 52,050
Angolan giraffe G. g. angolensis 13050
South African giraffe G. g. giraffa 39000
Northern giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis 5195
Nubian giraffe G. c. camelopardalis 2645
Kordofan giraffe G. c. antiquorum 2000
West African giraffe G. c. peralta 550
Reticulated giraffe Giraffa reticulata 8700
Maasai giraffe Giraffa tippelskirchi 32500
key
Green -Species
blue-Sub species
Areas of giraffe populations in Africa
Here in Kenya we have one sub-species and two major species. The sub-species in Kenya is the Nubian giraffe and the two species are Maasai and reticulated giraffe. This three types of giraffes look the same but they are actually quite different and distinct from each other when examined closely.
The Nubian giraffe has chocolate brown coat, which form regular patterns. However the easiest way of identifying this kind of giraffe is by looking at their legs. The patterns for Nubian giraffes end at the knees, from the knees downwards it is white in color. It almost looks as if the giraffe is putting on white socks.
The reticulated giraffe has a much darker coating but with bright white markings in between them. Unlike the Nubian giraffe their patterns extend all the way to the hooves. They are mostly found in northern parts of Kenya such as Samburu game reserve, Maralal game reserve, losai game reserve and Marsabit game reserve.
The Maasai giraffe is the tallest among all other types. They have irregularly shaped patterns with dark coats which extend to the hooves just like the reticulated giraffe. They can be found at Nairobi National Park, Maasai Mara , Tsavo national park, Amboseli national park and South Kitui game reserve
Among the three sub-species, the Nubian giraffe is the most endangered of all. The Nubian giraffe has now been found to be genetically identical to the Rothschild giraffe based on research by Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) in collaboration with BiK-F Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt, Germany and partners, to unravel the mystery of giraffe genetics through studying of over 200 samples of giraffe DNA. As the nominate sub species Rothschild giraffe has been subsumed into Nubian giraffe. To put things simpler Nubian and Rothschild giraffe are the same type of giraffe. The number of Rothschild giraffe is estimated at 2,645 individuals according to studies by GCF. They range across southern Sudan, western Ethiopia, northern Uganda, central and western parts of Kenya.
In Kenya the near extinction of the Nubian giraffe was so evident that two conservationists Betty and Jock Leslie decided to do something to save the dying species. They founded AFEW Kenya in 1979 with the aim of rescuing the Rothschild giraffe. At that time there were only approximately 120 Rothschild giraffe in the entire Kenya. The giraffes were mostly in western Kenya and the need to clear forests to create space for agriculture was a major cause for the massive decline in population for Nubian giraffe.
The late Betty and Jock Leslie rescued two giraffes and brought them to the present day giraffe center. The aim for this was to save the species by taking them to a safer area where they could be protected and create an environment for them to reproduce and increase their population. The giraffes are now located at the present day giraffe center in Nairobi, Karen. Through the breeding program started by the center for the giraffes the number has been able to rise from 120 in 1979 to about 1000 in 2018.Most of the Nubian giraffe are in Uganda. The giraffe center has not only grown as a conservation center but an education center as well. Apart from taking care of giraffes schools are allowed to visit for free when pre-booked and therefore students are able to learn not only about giraffes but waste management methods, tree planting, compost manure making and briquette making all which are projects the schools or students might be be able to incorporate.
The center has a total of 12 giraffes and all of whom have names.
Name Age
Betty 19 years
Kelly 18 years
Daisy 9 years
Stacey 8 years
Edd 7 years 8 months
Salma 7 years
Margaret 2 years 5 months
Waridi 2 years
Nandi 1 year 8 months
Jock 1 tear 6 months
Olerai 7 months
Mpingo 5 months
The breeding program entails releasing young giraffes at the age of three years back into the national parks or reserve. The giraffes Betty, Kelly ,Stacey ,daisy and Salma are breeding females while Edd is the dominant male in the heard. The giraffes released are put into specific national parks where there are other Nubian giraffes and not where there are Maasai or reticulated giraffe. This is to encourage breeding between members of the same sub-species.
The center has been able to do amazing work as far as protection of giraffes and education on the environment. The center boasts of being a popular tourist destination where you can get to have a close encounter with the giraffes, give them a hug, kiss them and learn more about giraffes and the work the center is doing. The wonderful staff there will make sure you have a wonderful experience as you learn more about them. One can also visit the nature sanctuary and have a walk in the nature trail as you enjoy the beautiful vegetation and scenery at the view point. You might even meet some friendly warthogs on the trail.
The giraffe manor hotel next to the center is one of the best hotels in the world and has been visited by famous celebrities most recently Elie Goulding who is a UN goodwill ambassador. It is the only hotel where you can have breakfast with giraffes. Amazing isn’t it? If you have never visited the center or you are looking for a fun family time visit the center and support conservation of the gentle giants.
Here are some fun facts about giraffes
Giraffes being the tallest land mammal ,adult males can grow up to 6m in length while females range between 4.2m - 5m .Males can reach a weight of 1800kg while females upto 1100kg.
In captivity giraffes can live up to 27 years while in the wild between the average lifespan is 10 years.
Giraffes are browsers with four stomachs and due to their large size require a lot of food ,approximately 35kgs of leaves per day. They can however consume up to 65kgs of leaves in a day
female gestation period is 15 months giving birth to only one calf at a time..Giraffes give birth while standing and the calf falls face first to the ground hence the name "fall of life" An hour after birth the young calf is able to stand up,walk and run.
Giraffes sleep for only 15-30 minutes in 24hours and prefer doing so while standing.
lions and hyenas are predators for the giraffe. however they prefer attacking young and old giraffes. giraffe kicks are known to kill lions and other predators or cause serious injury.
Giraffes stay in herds of about 2- 50 giraffes ,being led by a dominant male.
Watch the documentary of Nubian giraffe in Uganda done by Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the BBC to show the serious extinction likelihood based on research and how the foundation was able to rescue the situation. It is a two episode documentary. Click play below and enjoy.
Now that you have a basic understanding of giraffes and different species and sub-species in Kenya .The next post will cover on what the government and stakeholders are doing to save the giraffes from silent extinction.
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