The Giraffe Centre in Kenya: Located in the aviary neighborhood of Nairobi- Kenya, the Giraffe Centre is a conservation and education facility whose mission is to increase the population of the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Laid out in 1979 by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) the activities of this organization are in a bid to protect and propagate these marvelous creatures while also passing information about the same to the public. Everyone in and out of town has since flocked to the center where one can feed giraffes and at the same time learn about the animals’ conservation.
A Sanctuary for Rothschild Giraffes
The Rothschild giraffe is one of the least numerous of the giraffe sub-species and its distinguishing features include its bib and the white-colored legs without any commercial all the way down to the hooves thus resembling white stockings. This particular subspecies was formerly distributed in all the countries of the Eastern Africa region; however, due to increased losses of their natural habitats through human activities and hunting the species is endangered. The giraffe likely to be sighted in this Centre has a beneficiary from the center since it serves as a conservation center for these rare animals to enjoy adequate protection that they would require to survive.
Due to the breeding program of the center, the number of Rothschild giraffes has been added. Some of the giraffe babies that are born at the center are translocated to other parks and national parks or virtually any protected area within Kenya to replenish the species there. It has been a great success with few giraffes released and incorporated back in their natural ecosystems; thus, being beneficial to the species.
Educational Outreach and Awareness
It should be noted that education is one of the main objectives of the Giraffe Centre. Thus, the center attracts thousands of visitors annually which include school-going children, tourists, and members of the public. Visitors can learn information about giraffes, their activities, and their difficulties in the natural environment by engaging in the center’s activities such as displays, lectures, and tours. The purpose is to increase people’s awareness and respect to these animals, and the necessity of protecting their environments.
Guests at the Centre receive information about the physical characteristics and feeding habits of these animals, their position in the ecological system, and their major enemies, which are habitat loss and poaching. The center also aims to explain such large concepts as wildlife and the measures one can take to support wildlife conservation. Thus, the intended outcome of awareness at the Giraffe Centre draws positive change and encourages and fosters new blood with conservationist and wildlife hatred hearts.
The Unique Experience of Feeding Giraffes
Another thing that will always attract many people to the Giraffe Centre is the fact that one is able to touch and feed the giraffes. Tourists are allowed to go up the platform that puts them at the same eye level as these giant animals and offers them specially produced food.
It is well known that people like to be close to something they feel fear for; this is perhaps the reason why visitors can reach a certain platform which brings them to the height of these gigantic animals and even feed them ‘favored’ pellets. This is a good opportunity to notice how the tongues of these giants are long and how tender their touch is.
These feeding options are informative in that they help the visitors understand the feeding habits of the giraffes and at the same time entertain them. The giraffes at the center are tamed and there is always interaction with people, the personalities of the animals are friendly and they get curious when they see people slowly making it a wonderful experience for any individual of any age. The staff and the guides working in the center are always eager to explain something or to answer a question, guaranteeing that the visitors will leave the center with a considerably enhanced perception of these amazing creatures.
Conservation Efforts and Challenges
It should be noted that the Giraffe Centre is among the bouquet of organizations that have embarked on the preservation of animals and the natural environment in Kenya. It forms partnerships with, NGOs/IAs, government bodies and communities in support of sustainable conservation efforts. This comprises projects that enhance species and their ecosystem recovery, measures against unlawful killings of the species, and awareness creation concerning human-animal conflict.
However, the conservation of the Rothschild giraffe and other wildlife species still continues to have a number of handicaps in Kenya. More so habitat loss from activities such as agriculture, and urbanization including the construction of infrastructure poses a danger to giraffes. Also, the threat of climate change is also increasing, the availability of food and water resources is also becoming an issue. Realizing these challenges, the Giraffe Centre and its partners are always researching, lobbying, and engaging the community to eradicate the problems.
Supporting the Giraffe Centre
As for the funding requirement, the Giraffe Centre depends on donations from the public, fees charged to the visitors and other national and international conservation bodies. A visitor can also help by paying the parking fee, buying a T-shirt from the outlets, or simply donating to WSF. These contributions assist in helping the center in its conservation and education work to be able to pass on the knowledge of the Rothschild giraffe to future generations.
For those who cannot visit in person, there are ways one can get involved with Giraffe Centre. To adopt a giraffe, show support for particular projects, and be updated on the issues in giraffe conservation, a visitor can turn to the center’s website. Humanity can therefore take part in the conservation of the giraffe and other species that live in the different habitats by funding the Giraffe Centre.
Conclusion
The Giraffe Centre located in Nairobi is not just an aspiring tourist-drawing landmark but also a breeding and training ground. The center is a home to the endangered Rothschild giraffe besides increasing awareness of wildlife conservation among the public thus contributing to the conservation of Kenya’s natural resources. Feeding and also being able to pet the giraffes at the center is a lasting interaction and education on some of the issues that the animals go through in their lives.
This is because, to this day, the center remains a key asset in the fight to protect giraffes as a species as well as their natural habitat through conservation, education, and community involvement. Regardless of whether one is a fan of wildlife, a learner or a mere visitor, at the Giraffe Centre, one can really enjoy their time and learn something impressive about the significance of conservation as well as the attractiveness of the Kenya wildlife.
