Giraffe capture everyone’s hearts – probably because they are so different to any other animal in the world. And, to honour these amazing animals who have a unique view of the world from their lofty positions we are joining in with the celebrations for World Giraffe Day which takes place on 21st June each year – the longest day of course!

And, for visitors to our park on the longest day and also the weekend before (Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June)  our Education Team will be introducing the group to our visitors, testing their  knowledge on giraffes, and telling them all about the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and the amazing work that they do. In addition, we will be encouraging photos to be taken to enter the GCFs photo competition on their website https://giraffeconservation.org/2016/04/20/wgd-2016/?v=79cba1185463

This is an annual event initiated by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and whilst giraffes are loved all year round, and all around the world, World Giraffe Day is an event to raise awareness and create support, shedding light on the challenges and threats wild giraffes are facing today. 

GCF is the only Non Government Organisation (NGO) in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of Giraffe in the wild across Africa. Their mission is dedicated to a sustainable future for all wild giraffe populations. The practical aspects of conservation include habitat management and protection against poachers, which are crucial to be dealt with immediately; however conservation doesn’t stop there. It assures the long term future of Giraffe is through people, and how the role of education is key.

Flamingo Land is joining other zoos, schools, governments, institutions, companies and conservation organisations around the world, hosting events to raise awareness about giraffes and their conservation. In the wild there are now less than 90,000 giraffes in total. Once you break down the numbers into the 9 recognised subspecies, their populations are critically low. At our zoo, we have two groups of giraffe – one of them being a herd of Rothschild Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi), which are one the most endangered subspecies. At Flamingo Land we are very proud to have a successful breeding group, with one adult male, two adult females and two calves. 

In the wild there are less than 1500 Rothschild Giraffes remaining, ranging through Northern Uganda and West-Central Kenya. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified these giraffes as Endangered and is listed as a species of high conservation importance. Reintroduction to their native home range of small groups in 2011, has proven successful, and is a great achievement!