We take giraffe conservation seriously, and as such are long-standing partners of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). Those who’ve spent time at Thamo Telele, our lodge on the fringes of Maun in Botswana, will likely have met Katie Ahl and Emma Wells our brilliant giraffe scientists. The duo regularly introduces guests to the resident giraffe and explain the foibles of each along with an overview of giraffe conservation. They’re well placed to do this, since they used to work for GCF and coordinate the collection of giraffe DNA samples in Botswana as part of GCF’s Giraffe Genetic Testing Programme. The GCF team has collected DNA samples from all major giraffe populations in Africa for over 20 years now.
Based on this research, giraffe conservation celebrates an enlightened new era as, for the first time in history, giraffe have been recognised as four distinct species, having been classed as a single species since 1758. The collaborative genetic research that brought this to fruition was led by GCF along with the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F).
The official announcement came from the IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group (GOSG) and recognises Masai, northern, reticulated and southern giraffe as the four giraffe species. Each of the species has its own habitat, faces unique threats and has different population sizes. After conversations with our colleagues at GCF we believe that three of the four species may already be threatened, raising the urgency to protect the newly recognised species. “What a tragedy it would be to lose a species we’ve only just discovered,” comments Stephanie Fennessy, co-founder and executive director of GCF.
It’s hoped that this announcement will significantly boost international conservation efforts for these increasingly threatened creatures.
“Each giraffe species faces different threats, and now we can tailor conservation strategies to meet their specific needs,” notes Dr Julian Fennessy, co-founder and director of conservation at GCF. “It gives African countries and the global community the tools to act – before it’s too late.”
The discovery first came to light in 2016 when SBiK-F and GCF published genetic data demonstrating deep divergences between giraffe populations.
“To describe four new large mammal species after more than 250 years of taxonomy is extraordinary,” explains Prof. Axel Janke who leads SBiK-F. “Especially for animals as iconic as giraffe, which roam Africa in plain sight. Our genetic analyses show that the differences between giraffe species are as distinct as those between brown and polar bears.”
As the next step, the IUCN SSP GOSG will now assess the conservation status of each species for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
“This announcement will surprise many – how could we have overlooked something so fundamental,” shares Julian. “But it underscores the importance of combining fieldwork with genetics to drive real-world conservation outcomes.”
As for Katie and Emma, they’re broadening giraffe conservation horizons for guests keen to glean deeper insights on their Giraffe Conservation Safari. This extraordinary 9-day journey across Namibia will see the duo lead a group of between 4 and 10 travellers with a passion for giraffes. Together, you’ll visit Etosha Mountain Lodge, Hoanib Valley Camp and Shipwreck Lodge to experience hands-on conservation work alongside two of Africa’s finest giraffe conservationists.
A portion of the proceeds will go directly towards giraffe conservation so that you too can make a difference.
