The Last Giraffe

“At the beginning of the 20th century there were millions of giraffes in Africa. Today, there are only 80 thousand left.” (Faces of Africa:

How the World's Tallest Land Animal Became Extinct-documentary)

In 2016 on a journey through Africa, I learned something disturbing. My favorite animal, the one I have adored since childhood, was declining at an alarming rate, and no one seemed to notice.

They noticed the white rhino, they noticed the gorillas, they noticed the African elephant, and stepped up to arrest the dwindling numbers. But giraffes have been quietly disappearing for over forty years and no one seemed to noticed.

It was my guide, a young African man, who shared with me the plight of giraffes. That was the moment when we knew, each of us that we had to do something to stop the silent extinction. We started The World Giraffe Alliance.

When humans first discovered giraffes it was believed they were just one species.

It is only in the 21st century that we have learned there are four distinct and individual species of giraffes with individual markers and a genetic code that makes them as distinctly different from each other as a Brown bear is from a Polar bear.

The numbers of giraffe have been so depleted that there are seven African countries where they no longer exist. Today, each of the four species is down to approximately ten percent in the wild.

Baby giraffes have only a 50% chance of survival from the moment of birth. Habitat loss, poaching, farming, game hunting and environmental degradation are the primary culprits, but giraffes in captivity do not do much better. In zoos, giraffes have a 60% chance of thriving. Their small enclosures cause them to become fretful and anxious. In the wild giraffes walk 3-5 kilometers per day. In captivity they cannot roam, they cannot browse. Their natural instincts are subdued. Many suffer depression.

While there are some preserves, animal parks and conservation lands, even these environments pose a danger. In 2023 two giraffes were electrocuted on a preserve because they walked into low hanging power lines.

The only real solution is sanctuary. Giraffes need dedicated land where they are safe and have abundant room and resources. That’s what we do. The World Giraffe Alliance is committed to protecting giraffe lands and creating sanctuary. We are working as fast as possible, with few resources and against the clock.

“Time Travel: Kenya, 2040: The reserve has dwindled to half its size, under pressure from farmers who have enlarged their territory at the expense of the animals. Among the latter, the last giraffe just died.” (How the World's Tallest Land Animal Became Extinct- documentary)

We watched the last white rhino go extinct in 2018. Do not let the last giraffe go extinct in 2040. We can stop it. We can save the last giraffes. If we try. Theworldgiraffealliance.org.