World Giraffe Day - 21 June 2014

Come on guys let’s stick our neck out this giraffe day in support of this initiative.

Rothschild Giraffe at Paraa Safari lodge by John Gibbons 

Remember to send Marasa Africa (www.marasa.net)  your best Giraffe photos to support this worthy initiative to highlight the plight of the noble giraffe.

Marasa Africa lodges Chobe and Paraa Safari lodge official supporters of the initiative wants to share your photos to raise awareness of the threatened Rothschild giraffe within Murchison Falls national park. The Park is the ancestral home to the Rothschild Giraffe one of the more threatened subspecies of giraffe. The park is home to around 70% of the remaining population of this subspecies that is threatened by encroachment and human animal conflict. Best photos of the day also receive a free massage from either Paraa or Chobe Safari lodge located within the park. If you are at any of these lodges for the next week, make sure not to miss out! 

World Giraffe Day is a new and exciting initiative of GCF to celebrate the tallest and longest-necked animal on the longest day or night (depending on which hemisphere you live!) of the year – 21 June!

Not only is it a worldwide celebration of these amazing and much loved animals, but an annual event to raise awareness and shed light on the challenges they face in the wild. By supporting World Giraffe Day you can help to support giraffe conservation efforts in the wild that will ultimately help to secure the future of this amazing creature in Africa. With only less than 80,000 giraffe remaining in the wild, the time is right to act NOW!

Rothschild's giraffe is one of the most endangered giraffe subspecies, with only a few hundred members in the wild (Estimated at around 1300 individuals remain) . Also known as the Ugandan giraffe around 70% of the remaining giraffe of this subspecies can be found in Murchison Falls national park in Uganda

While giraffes in general are classified as Least Concern, Rothschild's giraffe is at particular risk of hybridisation, as the population is so limited in numbers. Very few locations are left where Rothschild's giraffe can be seen in the wild, with notable spots being Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya and Murchison Falls National Park in northern Uganda.

 Rothschild's giraffe is easily distinguishable from other subspecies. The most obvious sign is in the colouring of the coat, or pelt. Where the reticulated giraffe has very clearly defined dark patches with bright-whitish channels between them, Rothschild's giraffe more closely resembles the Masai giraffe. However, when compared to the Masai giraffe, Rothschild's subspecies is paler, the orange-brown patches are less jagged and sharp in shape, and the connective channel is of a creamier hue compared to that seen on the reticulated giraffe. In addition, Rothschild's giraffe displays no markings on the lower leg, giving it the impression of wearing white stockings.

Rothschild Giraffe at Chobe Safari lodge in Uganda by John Gibbons 

 Another distinguishing feature of Rothschild's giraffe, although harder to spot, is the number of ossicones on the head. This is the only subspecies to be born with five ossicones. Two of these are the larger and more obvious ones at the top of the head, which are common to all giraffes. The third ossicone can often be seen in the center of the giraffe's forehead, and the other two are behind each ear.They are also taller than many other subspecies, measuring up to six metres tall.

Are you a GiraffeSpotter? The official launch will be 19 June 2014 in time for World Giraffe Day! Check out www.giraffespotter.org

Premier Safaris on a Rothschild fact finding Safari  

GCF has a new and exciting Conservation Research Volunteer opportunity coming up in our Rothschild's giraffe project in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. Ideally, we are looking for an experienced field researcher who will be available for a 6-months period starting in 2014.

Send your giraffe photos to corne@marasa.net in the week to follow and participate in creating awareness globally!

Support Giraffe links:

www.giraffeconservation.org