NUBIAN GIRAFFE: A CONSERVATION SUCCESS STORY

Giraffes are undergoing a silent extinction and are facing a range of threats throughout Africa. To safeguard their future, it is vital to implement focused conservation initiatives. Following an estimated decline of around 30% over 30 years, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) uplisted giraffe as a single species from least concern to vulnerable on the Red List of Threatened Species. However, there is hope on the horizon, and for one subspecies – the Nubian giraffe – there is much to celebrate!

Although listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, the Nubian giraffe population in Kenya has increased by over 700% in the last half a century. From a low of only 130 individuals and near extinction in the mid-1970s, today Kenya is home to at least 1,040 Nubian giraffes.

The Nubian giraffe population in Kenya has increased by over 700% in recent decades.

This number accounts for almost 25% of all remaining wild Nubian giraffe – a resounding success story, which can be attributed to focused conservation efforts. In particular, translocations have helped to increase their habitat, finding new safe havens for these gentle giants and monitoring them closely.

What are Nubian giraffe?

They are the subspecies living at Giraffe Manor! There are four distinct species of giraffe: Masai, reticulated, northern and southern. Nubian (G. c. camelopardalis) are one of the three subspecies of the northern giraffe. Northern giraffe are easily recognisable by their ‘white socks’ (their markings do not reach down beyond their knees, unlike with the other three species).

But Giraffe Manor used to have Rothschild’s giraffes?

Up until recently, we have been referring to our herd at the Manor as Rothschild’s giraffes. However, DNA analysis from all major populations of wild giraffe throughout Africa has revealed that Rothschild’s giraffe are genetically identical to Nubian giraffe. As Nubian giraffe are the nominate subspecies (the first giraffe ever scientifically described), Rothschild’s are now reclassified as Nubian giraffe. Our herd has simply received a ‘name change’, of sorts!

Giraffe Manor’s herd has received a ‘name change’, of sorts! Formerly known as Rothschild’s giraffe, they are now reclassified as Nubian giraffe.

A brief History of Nubian giraffe in Kenya

The earliest detailed population statistics of Nubian giraffe available in Kenya is from 1946, with an estimated 850 individuals, which mostly occurred in Soy Ranch in Western Kenya. However, illegal killing by farmers who regarded giraffe a threat, had dire consequences. By 1974, just 130 Nubian giraffes remained on the ranch. Around the same time, the owner of Soy Ranch decided to sell his land and the new owners wanted to focus on commercial crop farming. Therefore, the 130 giraffes were removed from the ranch and translocated to various parks and protected areas around Kenya.

After the initial movement out of Soy Ranch, many of the populations went on to thrive and subsequently giraffe were further translocated from these areas. Over the years, these translocations have enabled the Nubian giraffe population in Kenya to maintain an annual population growth of 5.3 individuals since 1993. This resounding conservation success is attributed to translocations to new habitats to expand their range, coupled with heightened security which has reduced poaching in protected areas.

Concerted efforts to save the Nubian giraffe population has led to their steady increase since the 1970s and presents one of the most remarkable conservation success stories in the country.
~ Arthur Muneza et al. 2024

To date, 27 giraffe have been translocated from the Giraffe Centre to different protected areas in Kenya. In 2018, two female giraffes from Kigio Wildlife Conservancy moved to the Giraffe Centre to increase genetic diversity. Inbreeding is a potential concern for the Nubian giraffe population in Kenya as they all stem from a single group on Soy Ranch.

Current status of Nubian Giraffe

Despite their excellent recovery from near extinction, Nubian giraffe, as with other giraffe species, still face many threats. There are only 4,000 Nubian giraffes left in all of Africa (1,040 in Kenya, 2,420 in Uganda, 450 in South Sudan and less than 200 in Ethiopia). Whilst Uganda has seen similar conservation successes to Kenya, this subspecies continues to face severe threats from illegal hunting in Ethiopia and South Sudan.

The Future for Nubian Giraffe

Experts from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) recommend regular photographic surveys of all Nubian giraffe populations in Kenya to gather detailed demographic data and inform management decisions. Photographic surveys are a cost effective and accurate way to monitor individual attributes of giraffe such as age and sex, and keep good track of their numbers. This information can be used to inform effective conservation translocations. Alongside this, using GPS technology to track giraffe movement in areas where they cannot easily be followed is vital.

I’m really excited about the different technology we can use to track giraffe. As conservationists, unfortunately we have to accept that development will happen, but we also have to make infrastructure that’s friendly to giraffe conservation. For that to happen, we need to know where the animals spend a lot of time, how they move and where go to.

~ Dr. Arthur Muneza

Do you want to help protect wild giraffe throughout Africa? Consider joining our herd and sponsoring a member of our Nubian giraffe family living at Giraffe Manor.