Giraffe conservation groups raise alarm over surge in Somali giraffe poaching

A KWS officer tying to remove a snare wire from a giraffe's neck.

By Issa Hussein
Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Giraffe conservation groups in Garissa have raised an alarm over the surge in poaching cases threatening the endangered Somali Giraffe species in North Eastern Kenya.

Conservation groups dedicated to giraffe preservation in Garissa are sounding the alarm due to a significant increase in poaching threatening the endangered Somali Giraffe species in North Eastern Kenya. Dr. Abdullahi Ali, the President of the Society for Conservation Biology - Kenyan Chapter, expressed deep concern about the rising incidents of Reticulated giraffes, commonly known as Somali giraffes, falling victim to poaching for game meat.

Dr. Abdullahi's reaction comes in response to a recent incident where the Kenya Wildlife Service Meru Vet unit, in collaboration with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, responded to a poaching incident at Boulargi Giraffe Conservancy in Garissa township constituency. Poachers had ensnared a sub-adult male Reticulated Giraffe.

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Dr Abdullahi Ali taking photos of a dead giraffe killed by poachers.

Speaking to The Eastleigh Voice, Dr. Abdullahi said the incident was one among many endangering the reducing population of the Somali giraffe, which was added to the Red List of threatened species in 2018 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Dr. Abdullahi, a Giraffe biologist based in Garissa, noted that farm laborers and the riverine community were involved in aggressive poaching habits that need to be addressed. He also blamed increased human settlements and farming along the river as a significant challenge facing the endangered giraffe.

"Human-giraffe conflict was imminent due to poverty, climate change causing decreased vegetation cover, and human activities that prevent the giraffe from accessing water corridors," asserted Dr. Abdullahi.

He urged the Kenya Wildlife Service to consider recruiting more rangers from the region to increase surveillance and boost the existing community conservancy scouts in the area.

Dr. Abdullahi lauded the Boulargi Giraffe Conservancy team, led by manager Mohamud Garat, for raising the alarm on the Christmas Day incident where a Somali giraffe was ensnared by a winch wire around its neck, resulting in substantial injuries.

In a statement, the Kenya Wildlife Service said they successfully immobilized the giraffe, removed the wire snare, and treated the resulting wound with a favorable prognosis for recovery.