GIRAFFE COLLARING IN UGANDA

Summer 2020 | Dates TBD

A CHANCE TO YIELD DATA THAT COULD SAVE AN ENTIRE SUBSPECIES OF GIRAFFES

In the last 30 years, giraffe populations across Africa have declined by an estimated 40% from over 155,000 in the mid-1980s to less than 100,000 today. The main threats are human-induced, particularly habitat loss/destruction and fragmentation, as well as poaching and disease. With less than 2,750 Nubian giraffes remaining in the wild, this trip will allow you the opportunity to be a part of something truly impactful. Geared towards understanding giraffe spatial ecology and using state-of-the-art technology, you will help attach the solar-powered GPS satellite units onto an ossicone of the giraffe.

The giraffe will be remotely darted by government and/or consultant veterinarians from a vehicle, or helicopter if required, carefully roped to the ground, followed by teams moving into action. The monitoring team will secure the animal, quickly administer the reversal drug, and examine the health of the giraffe while down. The recording/tagging team will gather the measurements and clinical diagnostic data of the giraffe and assist in fitting GPS satellite units. This long-term effort seeks to update the limited currently available information on the conservation status and spatial ecology of giraffes in Africa. The data generated from these collars will help develop maps representing a prediction of the distribution and habitat use of giraffes. It will also help in understanding occupancy and utilization of giraffe habitats, as well as the extent of home ranges and seasonal dynamics of habitat usage.

The future of these giraffes can be directly impacted by your hard work and dollars used to make this experience happen. Over 95% of conservation donors have no idea where their money ends up, and we’re allowing you the opportunity to see it first hand.