Celebrating giraffes in Kenya

Giraffe Day 2025 celebrations! (c) Born Free Kenya

Born Free is hard at work protecting rare giraffes in Kenya, so World Giraffe Day, on 21st June, was the perfect opportunity to announce some huge news and get local people even more involved. 

Born Free has been protecting reticulated giraffes in Meru Conservation Area, in NE Kenya, since 2021. Meru is our charity’s heartland, where Elsa the lioness was returned to the wild. Just 16,000 reticulated giraffe remain, but around 1,400 of these live in Meru and Born Free is working with the local community to get to know each one!

“Over the last year, our Saving Meru’s Giants team covered an incredible 2,700 miles, monitoring giraffes,” explains our Head of Conservation Dr Nikki Tagg. “They identified 181 new individuals, so we now have 535 on our database. By recognising each one, and seeing how they behave, we can improve our conservation work. We also removed 493 deadly snares – set illegally to catch ‘bushmeat’. Giraffes can be especially vulnerable, so this work is vital.”

Born Free’s Newton Simiyu is interviewed

To complement this ongoing conservation work and celebrate Meru’s giraffes, Born Free’s Kenyan team held a community event, on World Giraffe Day. This was in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service and Wildlife Habitat Trust, and the whole country was watching!

As extensively reported on NTV Kenya, the nation’s number one urban TV station, the Born Free event included art projects for local schools and the chance to spot giraffes in the wild. The day was an outstanding success, and had a big impact.

“The first thing that attracted me to the giraffes was their orange coat,” said one delighted pupil. “The patterns are like human fingerprints, they’re different for each giraffe, which really interested me! And their tongue is long and black, helping giraffes eat from the tallest acacia trees.”

Students from Algani Girls’ Primary School and Kinna Primary School, on the northern border of Meru National Park, embraced the day’s theme ‘Stand Tall for Giraffes, End Bushmeat Hunting.’ The day featured creativity, learning, and a shared commitment to giraffe conservation.

Pupils proudly display their artwork

“The day began with pupils showcasing their artistic talents through drawing and painting, capturing the majestic beauty of giraffes,” reports Newton Simiyu, Programme Manager of Saving Meru’s Giants. “The vibrant artwork displayed the children’s deep appreciation for these gentle giants and their habitats.

“An essay competition followed, where pupils eloquently expressed the importance of protecting giraffes and the urgent need to end illegal bushmeat hunting. The essays were heartfelt and insightful, reflecting the pupils’ understanding of conservation issues.

“The highlight of the celebration was the announcement of the top 60 pupils who earned an unforgettable ecology trip to Meru National Park. This trip was not only educational but also an adventure, allowing the pupils to experience the wonders of nature firsthand. During the trip, the pupils were awarded certificates and special gifts, including exercise books, a Scrabble set, and watercolour paints, to further nurture their creativity and learning.

“Interaction sessions with Born Free staff provided valuable insights into giraffe conservation efforts. The pupils learned about the challenges giraffes face and how they can contribute to making a difference. A delicious lunch offered an opportunity for everyone to bond and share their experiences, creating lasting memories.

“World Giraffe Day 2025 was a memorable event that empowered pupils to stand tall for giraffes and become champions for wildlife conservation. The celebration not only raised awareness but also inspired the next generation to take action for a brighter future for these magnificent creatures. Together, we made a difference and celebrated the beauty and importance of giraffes in our world.”

You can go above and beyond for giraffes, and support their conservation, by adopting our Meru Giraffe Family today.

ADOPT THE GIRAFFE FAMILY      WATCH FOOTAGE FROM THE DAY