This story was originally reported by FOX 4 News (Catherine Park, April 14, 2021). The following is a rewritten summary published for archival and educational purposes.
After 15 months of planning, engineering, and coordination, the final two endangered giraffes stranded on a flooded island in Kenya were successfully relocated — completing one of the most complex giraffe rescue missions ever undertaken.
Rising waters in Lake Baringo had gradually transformed Longicharo Island into a shrinking refuge for nine Rothschild’s (Nubian) giraffes. As flood levels accelerated in 2020, the animals faced increasing food scarcity and habitat loss.
The rescue effort, led in collaboration with Kenyan conservation authorities and partners, required tranquilization, veterinary precision, and transport by a specially designed steel barge known as “The GiRaft.”
The Final Rescue
The final relocation involved Ngarikoni and her calf, Noelle.
Video released by conservation partners showed Ngarikoni being safely tranquilized before being guided to the custom-built barge. After crossing Lake Baringo, she was released into a protected 4,400-acre sanctuary on the mainland. Shortly afterward, Noelle was reunited with her mother.
The relocation marked the successful completion of all nine giraffe transfers.
“We felt a great sense of urgency to complete this rescue,” said David O’Connor, president of Save Giraffes Now. “With giraffe undergoing a silent extinction, every one we can protect matters.”
Why This Rescue Was Critical
Rothschild’s giraffes are among the most endangered subspecies of Northern giraffe. Once widespread across the western Rift Valley of Kenya and into Uganda, their population has declined dramatically due to habitat loss and poaching.
At the time of the rescue:
- Fewer than 3,000 remained across Africa
- Approximately 800 were in Kenya
Relocating these nine giraffes preserved valuable genetic diversity and prevented potential loss due to flooding or isolation.
A Collaborative Conservation Effort
The operation was carried out in partnership with:
- Kenya Wildlife Service
- Ruko Community Conservancy
- Northern Rangelands Trust
- Save Giraffes Now
The project required innovative design solutions, including the construction of a custom steel barge and the development of a secure mainland sanctuary.
This effort reflects a broader conservation strategy focused on proactive relocation, habitat protection, and long-term restoration of giraffe populations across their historical range.
This story was originally published by FOX 4 News on April 14, 2021. The content above is a rewritten summary intended to document media coverage of the giraffe rescue mission.