We had almost come to the end of our survey trip and had yet to spot Coffee Bean! For other giraffe, this wouldn’t be unusual at all, as they often travel large distances and sometimes we can go many months without spotting certain individuals. Coffee Bean, however, seems to like his routine and home ground, and we spot him almost every single trip (recently, at least). We returned back to Windhoek wondering where he could be and what he might be up to. When back in the office, we started the mammoth the task of sorting through and identifying all the giraffe we saw on each trip (which can be over 1000 photos!). And alas – we DID see Coffee Bean!! We just didn’t realise at the time, as for this particular sighting he was over on the opposite side of the riverbank hiding in a bush! We had snapped what we could and only got a neck shot – but as each giraffe pattern is so unique, we were able to use this small section to identify him. Coffee Bean was in a herd with 3 other giraffe, including friends Hoanib Rocket and Ben.
About Giraffe Conservation Foundation
Every donation supports our work with local and international partners, affecting over 100 million acres of giraffe habitat.
The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild throughout Africa. We are dedicated to securing a future for all giraffe populations in the wild.
Our conservation story started in Namibia, where we have studied several giraffe populations for over two decades now. Our findings have directly impacted the global understanding of giraffe and how best to save them. It was the GCF team that first realized that there are four different species of giraffe (and not only one as previously thought). Our pioneering work in Africa also led to global recognition of giraffe’s silent extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
However, our work is not done—there is still so much to learn. It is only through better understanding that we can develop targeted, sustainable conservation strategies with the local people who share their space with wildlife to secure the long-term future of giraffe in Africa.
We envision a world where all giraffe can live wild and free within their historical ranges or habitats throughout Africa and are protected by the people around them.
Join us on our journey and help save giraffe today, before it’s too late tomorrow.
