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The World’s Only White Rare Giraffe Is Being Tracked for Safety!

By Orgesta Tolaj

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18 June 2024

white rare giraffe

© Northern Rangelands Trust

Did you know that the world’s only known white giraffe is now being fitted with a tracker to protect it from poachers?

In a desperate attempt to safeguard this rare and majestic creature, conservationists have taken action to ensure its safety.

As poaching continues to pose a threat to the survival of endangered species, conservationists are taking innovative measures to protect them. The decision to fit the world’s only known white giraffe with a tracker highlights the urgency of the situation and the importance of safeguarding these precious animals from harm. This is what is going on.

White Rare Giraffe Is Now Being Tracked

In southeast Kenya’s Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy, an exceptionally rare white giraffe with a genetic condition called leucism, which causes partial loss of pigmentation, has been fitted with a tracking device. This measure was taken after the giraffe’s family was tragically killed by poachers.

The tracking device aims to enhance the giraffe’s protection and ensure its safety in the wild, as announced by the Northern Rangelands Trust on November 8th.

White Rare Giraffe
© Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy

According to the trust, the animal in southeast Kenya’s Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world. However, another white giraffe was sighted in Tanzania back in 2015.

How Does the Device Work?

The tracking device fitted onto the white giraffe in Kenya’s Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy will provide hourly updates on its location. This allows rangers to monitor its movements daily, enhancing efforts to protect the giraffe from potential poaching threats.

White Rare Giraffe
© Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy

The unique coloration of the white giraffe in the conservancy increases its vulnerability to poachers. Tragically, two other white giraffes, a female, and her calf, were killed by poachers in March. This has raised significant concerns for the safety of the remaining animals.

What Else Did the Conservancy Say About the White Rare Giraffe?

The presence of three white giraffes was a source of immense pride for the Ishaqbini community. Their rarity captured international attention and garnered headlines over the years, according to the trust.

Ahmed Noor, the manager of the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, expressed optimism about the future of the white male giraffe. He noted that the giraffe’s grazing range has benefited from recent good rains, resulting in abundant vegetation, which augurs well for the giraffe’s future.

White Rare Giraffe
© Northern Rangelands Trust

Giraffes are the world’s tallest mammals, with heights surpassing 18 feet. However, the African Wildlife Foundation reports a concerning trend: over the past 30 years, the species has experienced a staggering 40 percent decline in population. Poaching and wildlife trafficking are significant contributors to this decline, according to recent reports.

The giraffe population worldwide is estimated to exceed 68,000, according to the foundation. Despite their numbers, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the species as vulnerable, indicating a significant risk to their survival in the wild.

What do you think of the decision to protect the white rare giraffe?

You might also want to read: The Okapi – A Combination of a Deer and Zebra in One

Orgesta Tolaj

Your favorite introvert who is buzzing around the Hive like a busy bee!

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