It is almost inconceivable that these gentle giants can survive in their desert home. Northwestern Namibia is one of the most isolated and scenically spectacular places on the planet. With an average annual rainfall of <100mm, the Namib Desert is considered one of the oldest deserts in the world. However, despite the harshness of the environment (or maybe because of it) there is great diversity in both plant and animal species. Elephant, black rhino, lion, leopard, hyena and numerous antelope and smaller mammals inhabit the area, fighting a daily battle against thirst, heat and predation. Amongst these animals one mammal stands tall, the desert-dwelling giraffe.
Giraffe are well-adapted to life in the desert. Their long legs allow them to easily cross the vast plains while their height gives them exclusive access to the highest branches of the towering Ana trees in the dry riverbeds.
However, giraffe are in trouble. The population of wild giraffe in Africa is now estimated at approximately 117,000, a drop of approximately 30% in the last three decades. These alarming numbers serve as a reminder that we need to protect giraffe now before it is too late.
GCF is conducting a long-term giraffe conservation programme in north-western Namibia. We have been studying this giraffe population of approx. 430 individuals on-and-off for almost two decades now. However, there is still so much to learn, and it is only through better understanding that we can develop targeted conservation strategies with the local communities to secure the long-term future of giraffe in Africa. By adopting a giraffe you can directly support this research and join in the fight to help all giraffe populations in Africa remain wild and free!
To make our Adopt-a-Giraffe programme possible, all information is only provided in digital form online. You will be able to print your adoption certificate yourself or view information online, however, we do not send out any physical items as this would take money away from the valuable support you are providing for giraffe.
Please remember that your adoption is symbolic and that the giraffe you are ‘adopting’ are living wild and free. We are working hard to keep it that way; as such we cannot guarantee when or where we will next see our adoptees including ‘your’ giraffe. Of course, when we do see one of our adoptees, we will share photos and tell you more about our encounter. We also keep you informed about all our conservation research activities and other adventures in northwestern Namibia.