Giraffe Conservation Foundation

To learn more about GCF, what this short video. For more information and also a longer version of the video, visit our website! #giraffeconservation

GCF recently took part in the KAZALab meeting in Namibia, a regional gathering that brought together conservation organisations from across the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) and the wider Southern African region. Hosted by Maliasili and Commonland, the meeting offered: - A platform for collaboration and networking - Cross-border trust and relationship building - Shared strategies for thriving ecosystems and empowered communities We’re looking forward to exploring new opportunities for giraffe conservation in this ecologically and culturally rich region.

With the support of GCF, the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya launched the Reticulated Giraffe Awareness Program in 12 schools across Meru, Isiolo, and Laikipia counties in Kenya in 2025. Through field excursions, school activities, and community outreach, students gained firsthand knowledge about local landscapes and the significance of the reticulated giraffe, a species native to northern Kenya. This initiative: - Reached 630+ people directly - Engaged ~5000 individuals indirectly - Touched 240+ families living near Meru National Park, where wildlife and communities coexist We’re proud to help foster a deeper connection between young people, their communities, and the wildlife they share their land with.

With support from GCF, three MSc students from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo recently completed internships focused on Kordofan giraffe conservation in northern Cameroon’s Faro Conservation Landscape. Their research addressed: - Community perceptions of the Kordofan giraffe, - Impacts of transhumance (seasonal livestock migration) on giraffe habitat. Community engagement is central to effective conservation. These students' findings help inform inclusive strategies to ensure a future for this threatened giraffe subspecies in landscapes shared by people and wildlife. We’re proud to support the next generation of conservation scientists!

GCF is proud to actively support giraffe conservation actions across 21 countries in Africa, including work in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Through close collaboration with local partners, rangers, and community members, we carry out vital fieldwork such as giraffe monitoring, tagging, and population surveys. These efforts generate data that guide targeted and effective conservation strategies. On this #WorldRangerDay, we celebrate and thank the dedicated rangers and field teams across Africa who help protect giraffe and the ecosystems they call home. Together, we proudly #StandTallForGiraffe.

Groundbreaking giraffe survey completed in Cameroon. With full support from GCF, BEDD: Biodiversity-Environment & Sustainable Development has completed the first-ever comprehensive survey of Kordofan giraffe in Bouba Ndjidda National Park, northern Cameroon. Researchers mapped 2,112 km of survey routes, recording all sightings—age, sex, and group structure—to determine spatial distribution, core habitats, and population health. Key result: 52 giraffe recorded in 24 herds—an essential baseline for future conservation efforts. This is a significant advancement in understanding and safeguarding one of Africa’s least studied giraffe populations.

#WorldNatureConservationDay is a reminder that conserving our environment is not a choice, but a shared responsibility. Every species, every tree, every drop counts. 📷 Wings for Conservation

New research from GCF and partners reveals that South Africa hosts an estimated 29,536 Southern giraffe, solidifying its status as a global stronghold for the species. Remarkably, nearly 50% of these giraffe live on private land, emphasizing the indispensable role of private landowners in conservation efforts. Our comprehensive national assessment spanned all 9 provinces, included nearly 1,000 properties and identified previously overlooked regions (e.g., Eastern & Western Cape) as vital giraffe strongholds. This updated population estimate helps fill critical knowledge gaps and provides a robust platform for strategic conservation planning both in South Africa and across southern Africa. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/evwYf9KY University of Mpumalanga

Giraffe numbers have dropped by nearly 30% in the past 35 years—and in some areas, up to 95%. These iconic animals are quietly slipping away in a crisis Sir David Attenborough calls a “silent extinction” in the BBC documentary “Giraffe: Africa’s Gentle Giants” But thanks to the work of organisations like the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), this silence is being broken. Founded by Stephanie Fennessy and Julian Fennessy in Namibia, GCF began as a voluntary effort to study giraffes where few others were looking. What started with passion and fieldwork grew into the world’s only organization dedicated solely to wild giraffe conservation. Today, GCF’s efforts —grounded in science, collaboration and education—are helping to restore giraffe populations and protect their future. So while World Giraffe Day may have been on 21 June, we know conservation organisations like GCF’s battle against this silent extinction is a year-long effort. And we salute their work. At Ubuntu Magazine, we believe conservation begins with curiosity and grows through commitment that goes beyond the expected. If you’re part of a project that’s standing tall for the wild, we’d love to help you share your story. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dh_uFd3Z #WorldGiraffeDay #SilentExtinction #UbuntuMagazine #GiraffeConservation #HopeForWildlife

Conservation in shared landscapes requires collaboration. Across Africa, giraffe often live alongside people and livestock, making coexistence a central focus of GCF’s conservation approach. Through strong partnerships, we support: ✔️ Community-led conservation ✔️ Environmental education ✔️ Awareness and capacity building These initiatives ensure that both giraffe and local communities benefit, building long-term solutions that work for people and wildlife alike.