A Tall Order: Securing a Future for Giraffe in the Wild – Presented by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation

Everybody loves giraffe, but did you know that giraffe are already extinct in 7 African countries and that there are an estimated 111,000 giraffe remaining in the wild? That is ONE giraffe for every FOUR elephant in Africa. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is the only organization in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild throughout Africa. GCF is at the forefront of saving giraffe in the wild. Our small but effective team is currently working with partners in 16 African countries where giraffe face a wide range of threats. Hear from our team about what they do to help save giraffe in Africa and find out how you too can stand tall for giraffe!

DATES: MAY 25 – JUNE 1st

Agenda

Giraffe are Everywhere in Africa, Right?

March 06, 2021, 10:00 AM – 10:25 AM PST(-08:00)
Stephanie Fennessy with Luciana Faulhaber
While giraffe feature widely in advertising and children’s apparel, they are undergoing a silent extinction in the wild. To make matters worse, we now know that there are four different species of giraffe – and three of these are in serious trouble. Hear from the GCF Directors Dr Julian and Steph Fennessy why we should care about giraffe, what the real threats are to their future and what can be done to make a difference. The couple learned early on that giraffe cannot be saved in isolation and working with partners is the core of their conservation model and that decisive conservation actions are needed. They will talk more broadly about giraffe, their work and their personal journey that inspired them to dedicate their lives to giraffe conservation in Africa. Together we can make a difference, but we have to act now before it is too late!

It Takes a Village to Save a Giraffe

March 06, 2021, 10:25 AM – 10:50 AM PST
Arthur Muneza with Luciana Faulhaber
Many giraffe share their living space with people. Human population growth and increasing human activity in wildlife habitats are intensifying threats to these gentle giants. We at GCF have long recognised that local buy-in, along with community participation and support are vital to securing a future for giraffe. Therefore, we focus on bringing partners together from all levels to raise awareness, collate data and develop conservation models that allow people and giraffe to share their living space. Arthur will talk about this aspect of GCF’s work and focus on the importance of engaging conservation stakeholders at all levels and how this can be achieved in collaboration and support of partners to effectively address the threats that giraffe face today.

Down to the Wire: Rescuing Uganda’s Critically Endangered Nubian Giraffe

March 06, 2021, 10:50 AM – 11:15 AM PST
Dr. Julian Fennessy with Luciana Faulhaber
Uganda is home to the largest wild population of critically endangered Nubian giraffe in the world. When the GCF team first visited Uganda in 2013, little had been done to protect these giraffe. Today, 8 years into a collaborative partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda has created a giraffe conservation success story. Together, GCF and UWA have reintroduced giraffe back into areas where they went locally extinct and have tackled one of the biggest threats that giraffe face in Uganda: wire snares. While poachers do not target giraffe, they are collateral damage and can suffer serious wounds or even death. Our GCF-UWA mobile veterinary team continuously patrols Murchison Falls National Park to rescue giraffe (and other wildlife) and provide anti-poaching support. Securing a future for Nubian giraffe requires n holistic approach that also involves local communities. a collaborative and holistic approach that we can ensure a secure future for the Nubian giraffe.

Q&A With All the Speakers

March 06, 2021, 11:40 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Dr. Julian Fennessy, Dr. Michael B. Brown, Arthur Muneza, Dr. Sara Ferguson, Stephanie Fennessy, Luciana Faulhaber
Q&A session with all of the speakers!

Cocktail Party

March 06, 2021, 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM PST
During this fun and interactive happy hour you will get matched up every 5 minutes with someone from the conference- including participants and even speakers! This is a great opportunity to meet and chat with other giraffe and conservation enthusiasts.

300

attended

OUR PARTNERS

Missed the event? Catch all the sessions below!