By Stephanie Mukandairo
With giraffe populations in Kenya facing numerous threats, including poaching, bushmeat hunting, habitat loss, and shrinking natural spaces, experts have called for collaboration to prevent extinction.
Speaking during World Giraffe Day, celebrated on June 20th, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga highlighted these urgent challenges, calling for coordinated action through ecological planning, community engagement, and sustained investment in conservation education and awareness.
“Only through collective effort can we secure a future for giraffes and other iconic wildlife species,” he said.
Christine Nyang’ana , CEO of the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) Kenya reaffirmed that the strong partnership between her organization and KWS, noting the importance of joint conservation efforts.
“AFEW is actively supporting the implementation of the National Recovery Action Plan for Giraffes through education, habitat restoration, community engagement and public advocacy. Together, we are working to reverse the decline of this iconic species,” she said.
Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Walter Raria Koipaton, Chairman of the KWS Board of Trustees, highlighted Kenya’s unique position as the only African nation home to three distinct giraffe species: the Maasai, Nubian (also known as Rothschild’s), and Reticulated giraffes.
He noted that this extraordinary biodiversity comes with extraordinary responsibility, adding that intensive protection measures have stabilized giraffe populations.
The country now boasts over 15,000 Maasai giraffes thriving in the Amboseli and Tsavo ecosystems, nearly 20,000 Reticulated giraffes roaming northern Kenya’s landscapes, and more than 1,000 Nubian giraffes protected through intensive conservation measures. These numbers represent a significant milestone in the National Giraffe Recovery Plan, demonstrating the effectiveness of collaborative conservation efforts.
Dr. Alice Kaudia, a Board Member of AFEW Kenya, used the platform to reflect on the achievements while calling for deeper collaboration and innovation to prevent giraffes from edging closer to extinction.
The event held in partnership with KWS and AFEW Kenya at the Nairobi National Park served as both a celebration of progress and a rallying call for continued action against the persistent threats facing these magnificent creatures.
The celebration reached its peak with an award ceremony honoring outstanding young conservation champions who have demonstrated remarkable commitment to environmental protection. Among the honorees, Glorious Grace from Oserian Comprehensive School won the top prize in the essay competition for her piece titled “The Importance of Creating Environmental Awareness among the Youth in Kenya.” Her passionate declaration that
“Poaching impunity must come to an end” as it threatens both wildlife and human lives, resonated with the gathered audience.
The event served as a powerful reminder that conservation success depends on everyone’s participation, from government agencies and conservation organizations to schools and individual citizens. As Kenya continues to lead by example in giraffe conservation, the message remains clear: through collaboration, education, and unwavering commitment, the country can ensure these gentle giants continue to grace its landscapes for generations to come.
