Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 0905374

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is dedicated to securing a future for all giraffe populations and (sub)species in the wild, and throughout their natural habitat. The organisation is new, established only in early 2009 as a key output of the IUCN International Giraffe Working Group (IGWG) to create an entity through which support could be channeled and outreach and awareness created. It is the first and only known dedicated giraffe conservation organisation working across Africa, an effort started from the idea of the applicant who has worked on giraffe issues throughout Africa for the past decade. The GCF is the key focal organisation for giraffe conservation and management in Africa, maintaining a close working relationship with the IGWG, communities, NGOs and government bodies through its networks. It provides a platform and forum for giraffe related research, conservation and management discussions, as well as increasing awareness and outreach regarding the plight of giraffe. Importantly, GCF supports dedicated and innovative research to better understand giraffe ecology, speciation, conservation and management. One of GCF’s goals is to establish the current status of all giraffe populations and (sub)species in Africa to support their conservation and management, something which is significantly lacking.