Standing Tall for the Giraffe in Namibia

Giraffes translocated from Namibia in holding pen in Iona National Park, Angola, before their release into park © GCF

“Golden light dances on its patterned skin, a gentle monarch of the open wind.”

The graceful giraffe, known for its calm and gentle demeanour, was not so long ago classified as threatened because of what Sir David Attenborough referred to as its “silent extinction”. But thanks to the work of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, based in Windhoek, Namibia, the giraffe, who walks with quiet elegance, a symbol of strength and serenity, is helping bring public awareness on the giraffe’s tragic plight.

The GCF focuses on conservation of giraffes in the wild throughout Africa and is the leading voice for the iconic giraffe globally. The foundation’s vision is providing a sustainable future for these graceful giants in their natural habitats. Indeed, GCF’s initial work in Namibia laid the foundation for its work across Africa.

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Giraffes’ comeback to Iona National Park marks new era in restoring extirpated wildlife

Partnerships form the cornerstone of some of GCF’s impactful work. For example, an important part of conservation is the translocation of giraffes, which aims to re-establish giraffe populations in their historical ranges and enhance genetic diversity.

One significant recent project involving GCF and African Parks was the relocation of 14 Angolan giraffe from a private game farm in central Namibia in July 2023 marking their return to Iona National Park after more than 20 years. The giraffes were safely transported 1,300 kilometres, with GCG and African Parks doing another translocation of 13 additional Angolan giraffes to Iona Park in May 2024.

Iona National Park is part of same ecosystem as the Kunene region across the border in Namibia, particularly the Namib Desert and its surrounding areas.

It’s no coincidence that GCF has also been involved in the Transboundary Conservation Initiatives, the Iona-Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Conservation Area, linking Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park with Angola’s Iona National Park. For this transboundary protected area is rich in wildlife, including giraffe, and it helps to promote joint conservation strategies between the two countries.

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Thanks to GCG Desert-dwelling giraffes of northwest Namibia increase in numbers

GCF also has a long-running programme to monitor and conserve the desert-dwelling giraffe in northwest Namibia, including the Skeleton Coast National Park. The GCF’s programme          area covers over 30,000 square kilometres, including the latter Park, communal conservancy land and the Kunene River.

GCF has relocated giraffes to the Skeleton Coast area and, as of recent reports, the giraffe population in this harsh desert environment of northwest Namibia has been steadily increasing, with estimates indicating approximately 450 individuals in the region where they move with poise across the rugged terrain.

GCF has promoted sustainable livelihoods, ecotourism and fostered positive attitudes toward giraffe conservation among local communities. For example by training their members in wildlife monitoring techniques they can take part in conservation efforts and data collection.

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Understanding giraffe movements with TWIGA tracking programme

In northwestern Namibia, GCF has established the longest-running ecological monitoring study of giraffes in Africa. The programme was assisted by GCF’s Twiga Tracker initiative that oversees and conserves the country’s desert-dwelling Angolan giraffe by using advanced GPS satellite tracking to understand its movements, habitat use and behaviour. To analyse the collected data, GCF works the Smithsonian National Zoo and the Conservation Biology Institute.

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GCF also has an environmental education programme for schoolchildren known as KEEP – the Khomas Environmental Education Programme. KEEP takes primary school-age children in Namibia on field visits to observe giraffes in the wild. In 2024 GCF hosted 3,413 Namibian schoolchildren from 31 different schools and 214 teachers spending 91 days in the field educating local youth about giraffe ecology and about the importance of conservation thereby fostering a sense of stewardship.

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As part of GCF’s Conservation Health Initiative, it trains a hand-selected group of African wildlife veterinarians every year in the safe immobilization and handling of wildlife. Wildlife veterinarians play an important role in conservation in Africa and with sound training and understanding in conservation issues, their positive impact is invaluable.

A future where this iconic species remains a vital part of our world

Giraffes are more than just iconic animals – they are ecological engineers and cultural symbols. Their decline is a silent tragedy. But thanks to the vision of GCF founders, Stephanie and Julian Fennessy, and their passion for giraffe conservation in Namibia, GCF’s dedicated efforts instil hope.

We ourselves need only recall that giraffes are depicted in prehistoric rock art found in and around Iona National Park in Angola and in the Kunene region of northwestern Namibia. The giraffes of Namibia are thus more than just a species to conserve. Just as the indigenous peoples once celebrated the giraffe as a symbol of resilience and connection, we must now act to ensure this majestic animal continues to inspire and thrive in the landscapes it has graced for millennia.

Watch this video on GCF’s work on giraffe conservation:

Donations to the GCF can be made at: https://give.giraffeconservation.org/

You can adopt a giraffe at: https://give.giraffeconservation.org/adopt/