Description:
The giraffe is a distinctive and iconic African mammal, recognised as the tallest land animal in the world. Known for its exceptionally long neck and legs, the giraffe’s height allows it to browse on leaves and shoots high in the trees, favouring acacia species in particular. Its coat features a unique pattern of spots that provide camouflage in the savannah. Giraffes are classified into 1-4 species and up to 9 subspecies. Tusk’s work supports a number of these subspecies, and our focus here is on the Rothschild’s and reticulated giraffes.
Rothschild Giraffe © Nick Wilcox Brown
Key facts
Population:
Less than 1,390 Rothschild’s Giraffe
Diet:
Habitat:
Giraffes can be found in Forest, Shrubland and Savanna
Range:
While Giraffes are more widespread across 21 African countries, the Rothschild and Reticulated giraffes are only found across 5 countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and South Sudan.
©Harry Skeggs
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy - Kenya
IRDNC
Threats
The main threats to giraffes are habitat loss as a result of deforestation, land use conversion and human population growth. Illegal hunting for their meat and hide is also a threat.
Conservation
Tusk has helped reintroduce them to parts of their former range in Kenya and provides support to project partners, such as Uganda Conservation Foundation, in its efforts to restore the habitat and wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park, home to a stronghold of Rothschild’s giraffes with a population of approximately 1,800.
Learn more about the projects
The main threats to giraffes are habitat loss as a result of deforestation, land use conversion and human population growth. Illegal hunting for their meat and hide is also a threat.
Conservation
Tusk has helped reintroduce them to parts of their former range in Kenya and provides support to project partners, such as Uganda Conservation Foundation, in its efforts to restore the habitat and wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park, home to a stronghold of Rothschild’s giraffes with a population of approximately 1,800.