Across the African landscape, giraffes move like living brushstrokes - tall, quiet figures that drift between trees with an elegance that seems almost otherworldly.
Thank you for your lovely reply, Linda. They are indeed, magnificent and precious animals. Their plight is so important to highlight, as much attention is given to other species and these icons need further awareness and action.
Thanks Roxy. Must be habitat loss. Seems to affect wild numbers all over the world. I do not think they are high on the list of trophy animals? And no ivory. Hopefully the decline can be arrested as you and others make the rest of us aware. Will yo move some to the Victoria Falls property as your numbers rise? Thanks again
Hi Chris. Thanks, as always for your insightful comment. Yes, I would say habitat loss is a contributing factor, but unfortunately they are also very easy prey, due to their size/height. They are often killed for bushmeat, as they carry a fair amount of meat. They are also used as bait for trophy hunting of predators, once again, due to the volume of meat. In protected areas, this species thrived in the past, which makes me feel that consumption is more of a contributing factor to their demise. I also feel, from my own experience with this species, that they are delicate animals and prone to dietary troubles if not eating correctly, as well as aortic issues, due to their unique circulatory system. The calves make easy targets for predators and I believe, or have seen at Panda, that the mortality rate of calves each year, from lion, predation, is high. In Zimbabwe, at the last formal census done, it was estimated that there are merely 7500 giraffes left. That, to me, is a shocking figure and one that needs to be addressed at government and international levels. Julian Fennessy is the leading researcher in the giraffe of Africa and if you would like to learn more, his papers are worth looking at. It makes for sobering reading. All the best, x
Sorry, to reply to your second comment about moving them to Panda. No, I would not do that, as mine are 'soft" animals and they would not adapt well to that environment. They would need to go into a conservancy area, where they are feed supplemented and protected from predation.
Thank you for that beautiful photograph of Roxy and Mirabelle - it’s just love in a snap. The amazing work being done is wonderful. Thank you all at WIL. Xxx
Every species in crisis deserves to have a voice speaking for them. One voice then becomes two, two becomes 4, and on and on. Thank you for being the voice that will, my hope is, spark a movement. My heart is smiling seeing little Camilla and knowing that with her lies a brighter future for her species. I’m grateful for the extraordinary people at Wild is Life who fight every day to bring the plight of Africa’s wildlife to the masses. I’m also thankful to everyone out there who, like me, makes the decision to directly support them and the imperative work they do.
Gina, thank you for your very thoughtful comment and for your support. It is greatly appreciated. I do know, that in this world that is fraught with adversity, it is always hard to pick a cause. Your sentiments about this species are just wonderful! xx
Thank you Roxy for taking the time to provide such detailed answer. I suspected the answer had to be more complicated than a simple "habitat". I remember some years ago seeing the environment minister from some northern African country, declaring at a conference that "In Africa, breakfast comes before the environment". I wondered then and now, how can any species can survive the pressures of hunger and greed.
Across the African landscape, they move like living brushstrokes—gentle, quiet, otherworldly.
Your words and photos —their plight—bring me to my knees (a place I’m sure all there helping them are regularly brought to).
Thank you for reminding and updating us with their names, their lives and your life-saving efforts.
Heartfelt appreciation for all you do🦒💟
Thank you for your lovely reply, Linda. They are indeed, magnificent and precious animals. Their plight is so important to highlight, as much attention is given to other species and these icons need further awareness and action.
Thanks Roxy. Must be habitat loss. Seems to affect wild numbers all over the world. I do not think they are high on the list of trophy animals? And no ivory. Hopefully the decline can be arrested as you and others make the rest of us aware. Will yo move some to the Victoria Falls property as your numbers rise? Thanks again
Hi Chris. Thanks, as always for your insightful comment. Yes, I would say habitat loss is a contributing factor, but unfortunately they are also very easy prey, due to their size/height. They are often killed for bushmeat, as they carry a fair amount of meat. They are also used as bait for trophy hunting of predators, once again, due to the volume of meat. In protected areas, this species thrived in the past, which makes me feel that consumption is more of a contributing factor to their demise. I also feel, from my own experience with this species, that they are delicate animals and prone to dietary troubles if not eating correctly, as well as aortic issues, due to their unique circulatory system. The calves make easy targets for predators and I believe, or have seen at Panda, that the mortality rate of calves each year, from lion, predation, is high. In Zimbabwe, at the last formal census done, it was estimated that there are merely 7500 giraffes left. That, to me, is a shocking figure and one that needs to be addressed at government and international levels. Julian Fennessy is the leading researcher in the giraffe of Africa and if you would like to learn more, his papers are worth looking at. It makes for sobering reading. All the best, x
Sorry, to reply to your second comment about moving them to Panda. No, I would not do that, as mine are 'soft" animals and they would not adapt well to that environment. They would need to go into a conservancy area, where they are feed supplemented and protected from predation.
Thank you for sharing this, and the beautiful photos.
Thank you for that beautiful photograph of Roxy and Mirabelle - it’s just love in a snap. The amazing work being done is wonderful. Thank you all at WIL. Xxx
Gosh, I loved her, Lynne. She was one of the "icons" and one of my friends too.
Every species in crisis deserves to have a voice speaking for them. One voice then becomes two, two becomes 4, and on and on. Thank you for being the voice that will, my hope is, spark a movement. My heart is smiling seeing little Camilla and knowing that with her lies a brighter future for her species. I’m grateful for the extraordinary people at Wild is Life who fight every day to bring the plight of Africa’s wildlife to the masses. I’m also thankful to everyone out there who, like me, makes the decision to directly support them and the imperative work they do.
Gina, thank you for your very thoughtful comment and for your support. It is greatly appreciated. I do know, that in this world that is fraught with adversity, it is always hard to pick a cause. Your sentiments about this species are just wonderful! xx
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Thank you for highlighting the plight of giraffes and for your beautiful stories of those you care for. And such lovely photos too.
Thanks for your comment, Vivienne. Giraffes are very close to my heart. xxx
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Thank you Roxy for taking the time to provide such detailed answer. I suspected the answer had to be more complicated than a simple "habitat". I remember some years ago seeing the environment minister from some northern African country, declaring at a conference that "In Africa, breakfast comes before the environment". I wondered then and now, how can any species can survive the pressures of hunger and greed.