Unfortunately, giraffe calves in the wild can become injured or orphaned for several reasons: poaching, separation from the herd, drought, or in some cases the natural death of their mother. Sadly, however, there are very few injured or orphaned giraffe rescued in Africa. This is partly because young calves are easy targets for predator species (lion, leopard, hyena). In many countries, there has also been a lack of eyes on the ground looking out to try to rescue these calves.

To tackle this issue, Save Giraffes Now establishes and supports rescue centers that care for giraffe until they can be returned safely to the wild. To date, Save Giraffes Now has created and/or supported facilities in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. We continue to work with partners and communities across Africa to create, whenever possible, rescue centers and orphanages that are available to help save these precious calves left alone in the wild. SGN also works to let communities across Africa know that help is available for orphaned or injured giraffe.

A recent example of our work is a baby giraffe in Ruko Community Conservancy whose mother refused to feed him. SGN jumped in to supply care, medical advice, and formula. This young male giraffe was on formula for 12 months at a cost of nearly $200 per week. We funded all care and formula needs and additionally quickly funded and built a stable and paddock to house this young boy. We also installed predator deterrent lights to further protect him after a leopard was circling nearby.

Please consider helping our efforts to rescue, raise, and support injured or orphaned giraffe until they are ready to be released from our care to join a wild herd.