The Trek Bracelet

Giraffes are one of the most recognizable large mammals on earth yet we know very little about their biology and conservation needs. This is because giraffes, due to their unique anatomy, have not been good candidates for collaring until recently. Recent advancements in technology have allowed our partners at the Somali Giraffe Project to track these unique animals in an effort to understand their movements and habitat use.

For example, we are asking basic questions like what are their home range sizes (how do they move and utilize their landscape), how do they select resources and share the landscape with humans (what type of habitat do they depend on) and ultimately what the drivers of their decline and how these threats interact to affect giraffe populations? Some of the contemporary threats facing giraffes include poaching, bushmeat trade, diseases, habitat loss and climate change. Through this scientific process, we are able to understand conservation needs of giraffes and deduce from the data how best to save them from extinction. This will certainly contribute to their monitoring and the long-term recovery in their native range in eastern Kenya.  

To learn more about why giraffes are tracked, visit our partner the Somali Giraffe Project directly at somaligiraffe.org.

Giraffes are tracked by placing a tag at the tail of the giraffe, which is now sending back hourly GPS locations via satellite to our partners at the Somali Giraffe Project. During the tagging process, their team is also able to take body measurements and other vitals such as blood and hair samples, depending on the specific research needs. This process is very quick and lasts less than 5-10 minutes from tagging to release.

To learn more, visit our partner directly at somaligiraffe.org.

Giraffe research historically has lagged behind compared to other large mammals. This is because typical collars that are put on the neck of animals do not fit giraffes well, as they slide right off when the animal bends. Recently,  scientists have tried to figure out the best way to put tags on giraffes. Initial trials recommended putting solar powered tags on the ossicones of giraffes but these generated controversy and were discontinued. More recently, this has changed to putting the same tags to the tail of giraffes, and this has been shown not to harm the giraffe at all. These very light solar powered devices do not affect the animal in terms of their behavior or health, and are the safest way to track giraffes currently!

To learn more, visit our partner directly at somaligiraffe.org.

Giraffes are one of the tallest animals in the world, with their legs alone measuring around 6 feet. When fully grown and standing upright, giraffes can reach a height of up to 18 feet or even more. Adult male giraffes usually weigh about 1,600 pounds (726 kilograms) while females weigh about 1,180 pounds (535 kilograms).

Giraffes use a variety of sounds to communicate with one another. The most common sound is a deep rumbling, which has been described as comparable to the purring of a big cat. Giraffes also make moans and snorts, either alone or in combination with the rumbling sound. Finally, high-pitched squeaks can signal surprise or alarm.

Giraffes are herbivores, so their diet consists mainly of leaves, buds, and fruits from trees and shrubs. They also eat grasses and herbs when available. Special adaptations such as long necks and tongues help giraffes reach high-growing foliage to satisfy their appetites. Giraffes typically spend 16 - 20 hours per day foraging for food in the wild.

Giraffes live in the savannas and woodlands of Africa, where they can find plenty of trees to browse. Sub-Saharan Africa is their primary habitat, with some populations existing in northwestern Ethiopia, southeastern Niger, and south-central Chad. They generally prefer areas with open terrain and scattered trees so that they can spot predators easily and feed safely.

Yes, giraffes are currently listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population has been declining significantly since the 1990s due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Although there have been some conservation efforts recently, their numbers continue to drop, making them an endangered species.

Giraffes have a relatively long lifespan when compared to other animals. In the wild, they usually live up to 25 years, while in captivity they can reach even 40 years. However, their life span is decreasing due to habitat destruction and hunting by humans. Conservation efforts are essential for ensuring that giraffes continue to survive in their natural environment for many more generations.

A group of giraffes is called a tower. A small group of giraffes is referred to as a "journey," while larger groups are known as a "tower" because of how the animals stand in tall, upright formations when grazing or watching for predators. This unique behavior makes them easily recognizable and gives them their special name.