Issue

Within the past three decades, 40% of the giraffe population in Africa has declined leaving only about 100,000 remaining.  This devastating decline has been so sudden that many do not realize the loss, thus naming this tragedy a silent extinction.  These iconic animals fall prey to several factors, including illegal bushmeat poaching and snaring, habitat loss, armed conflict, small population isolation and urban development.  To offer a perspective, there are 4 elephants to every 1 giraffe in Africa. Over one-half of giraffe do not survive their first year.

Response

Save Giraffes Now is addressing these issues by taking quick action to protect giraffe from present and future dangers.  Our work encompasses 40+ projects within 10 countries across Africa through action-oriented efforts that include creating or improving large giraffe sanctuaries and wildlife corridors, supporting anti-poaching rangers and de-snaring work, rescuing, caring for and rewilding giraffe orphans and rewilding and relocating giraffe to broaden gene pools. A dramatic and successful rescue to save 9 giraffe from an island in Kenya in danger of being flooded was completed in early 2021.