And just like that ... July is almost over and we have been so busy in the field and the office that we almost forgot that our bi-monthly update was due. There is so much to share and we don't even know where to start. 

World Giraffe Day 2023 has come and gone and again put a spotlight on giraffe and their plight in Africa. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us. With your continued support this initially rather insignificant idea of creating a special day for giraffe has grown to a powerful global movement. #StandTallForGiraffe

While raising awareness is very important, we strongly believe that ultimately giraffe can only be saved in Africa - by the people who share their living space with them. So, in addition to celebrating we have also been busy with lots of projects and programmes in the field, such as translocations, GPS satellite tagging and our second annual African Wildlife Veterinary Course. Have a look below to read more about some of our recent conservation actions. 

Last but definitely not least, we just released our GCF 2022/23 Annual Report. This year, we chose a totally different reporting approach and asked our team about their personal highlights of the year. So, have a look and hear from the team that is a voice for giraffe!

We are excited to announce that in collaboration with African Parks and the Angolan government we have successfully reintroduced Angolan giraffe to their historical range in Iona National Park in Angola in early July. Fourteen Angolan giraffe travelled over 1,300km in a journey that took over 36 hours from central Namibia to their new home. This important conservation translocation was made possible with your support through funds raised during World Giraffe Day! Read more here. 

This accomplishment represents a significant milestone in our ongoing and collaborative efforts to safeguard giraffe in Africa and has received lots of international attention and media coverage. Read about this 'message of hope' in The Guardian online. 

In June we successfully hosted our second hands-on training course for African wildlife veterinarians. The programme brought together eight wildlife veterinary specialists as tutors, who shared their knowledge with eight talented young vets from seven African countries: Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia. The objective of this nine-day training course in Namibia was to enhance the capability of young African vets and empower them to become leaders in conservation in their own countries. For a second time we have worked towards our mission to cultivate a new generation of African wildlife veterinarians who will drive conservation efforts and protect the rich biodiversity of the continent.

As part of the vet training course, we also provided an exciting opportunity for all participants to gain hands-on experience in a giraffe translocation. Collaborating with Namibian partners, we successfully moved four Angolan giraffe from the Etosha Heights Private Game Reserve to the Ongongo and Otjiu-West Conservancies in NW Namibia. This exercise not only equipped the vets with valuable skills to contribute to wildlife conservation in their countries, but also helped to extend the giraffe range in Namibia. The giraffe are now closely monitored by local community rangers in their new home ensuring their well-being. 

We are making a difference.

You can too.

Be a voice for giraffe.

For more regular updates, follow us on social media or get in touch directly with any questions about giraffe conservation and our important work in Africa.