Originally published November 26, 2021 by Maddie Spera. Republished for archival and educational purposes.
Preston Hollow’s own Susan Myers is sticking her neck out for giraffes.
“There are only about 100,000 giraffes left in the wild,” Myers said. “I realized they needed an advocate.”
Save Giraffes Now, a nonprofit founded by Myers in 2019, works across nine African countries with one clear mission: protect giraffes from what conservationists describe as a “silent extinction.”
Unlike elephants, whose poaching crisis often makes global headlines, giraffes face quieter but equally devastating threats. Habitat loss, regional instability, and prolonged drought have significantly reduced populations in many parts of Africa.
Earlier in 2021, Myers and Save Giraffes Now gained international attention for helping rescue nine giraffes stranded on a shrinking island in Kenya. The team successfully relocated the animals to a 4,500-acre protected sanctuary.
“It was a great project because the local people were so involved,” Myers said. “The community helped build the raft used to transport the giraffes and trained them to board voluntarily using food.”
Moving giraffes safely is complex. Traditional relocation methods require sedation, careful physical support, and coordinated transport efforts. Myers hopes to continue refining humane relocation practices while supporting long-term conservation solutions.
On future missions to Kenya, Myers and conservation partners plan to expand anti-poaching tracking systems and support the development of giraffe orphan care initiatives.
At 67, Myers brings a diverse professional background to conservation work, including investment banking and nonprofit leadership. Her earlier involvement with the Dallas Zoo deepened her fascination with giraffes and ultimately led her to establish Save Giraffes Now.
“The more I got to know them, I became fascinated with their personalities,” Myers said. “They’re the good guys of the animal world. They don’t ask for much, and they’re very kind.”
This article was originally written by Maddie Spera and published on November 26, 2021. It is republished here to highlight media coverage of Save Giraffes Now and its conservation efforts.