The remaining white giraffe in Kenya has been given a GPS tracker to protect him from poachers. The device was fitted on one of his horns and will give the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy hourly updates of its whereabouts.
Earlier this year, the conservancy announced the loss of the only known female giraffe and its calf which were killed by poachers. The long-term loss, said manager Mohammed Ahmednoor, was the genetic studies and research on white giraffes while the family had boosted tourism in the area.
White Giraffes
White giraffes were first reported in 2017 when the female made headlines alongside her calf. They have a genetic condition called leucism which results in a pale white and patchy color. It is unlike albinism in humans which also affects the pigment of tissue. Instead, the giraffes still had dark eyes.
The skin condition also does not result in genetic disadvantages to their survival. Leucism has also been seen in a Swedish moose, white lions, and white penguins.
National Geographic wrote that "rarity and exclusivity are among the driving factors of the illegal wildlife trade." At the same time, social media allows viewers to admire the rare creatures while putting them at increased risk of being found by illegal poachers. Poachers typically hunt giraffes for their hides, meat, and body parts.
In 2016, the Tarangire National Park in Tanzania reported the resighting of a white Masai giraffe calf named Omo, a laundry detergent by Unilever. The park has several anti-poaching measures such as drones and tracker dogs. However, there are no recent updates of Omo.
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Conservation Efforts
In recent years, the land has been blessed with good rain, reported Ahmednoor, meaning that the lone giraffe may thrive well in the abundant vegetation. Conservation efforts are being done alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service, Save Giraffes Now, and the Northern Rangelands Trust.
They've also been listed as vulnerable species in The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. The last assessment in 2016 stated that globally, there are around 68,000 giraffes left. Aside from illegal poaching, other threats include agricultural expansions such as livestock farming and human disturbances such as war and military exercises.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, herds consisted of up to 30 giraffes, according to the African Wildlife Foundation. Today, herds contain six individuals or less.
According to Save Giraffes Now, there has been a 40% decline in giraffe populations in the past 30 years. Nearly half of all giraffe infants won't survive to adulthood. Some of the organization's efforts include rewilding and introduction of giraffes in Kenya and Niger, anti-poaching units, and population monitoring.
There are also orphanages in Kenya and Botswana for calves that may have been separated from their herd or lost their mother. Unfortunately, it is difficult to rescue wild calves because they become an easy target for predators. The recent effort to protect the last white giraffe in Kenya is was a wake-up call to continue conservation efforts, said Ahmednoor.
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