Giraffe Conservation in Uganda
The Northern giraffe herd is a major attraction for Chester Zoo visitors. Standing up to 5.5 metres tall, this species is an impressive presence both in the Zoo’s Heart of Africa zone and in the grasslands and woodlands from Niger in the west across Uganda and to Kenya and Ethiopia in the east. However, the species needs protection.
The Giraffe Conservation Foundation, with support from Chester Zoo, is monitoring, learning about and protecting wild populations in Uganda.
New Research and Taxonomy
Recent genetic research conducted by several institutions, including the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), has led to the recognition of a four-species taxonomy for giraffes, replacing the traditional single-species classification. Under this revised understanding, the Northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is now recognised as a distinct species, with Nubian, Kordofan, and West African giraffes as its subspecies.
The newly recognized Northern giraffe species is found exclusively in the vast semi arid grasslands and woodlands of the Sahel ecosystem, spanning Africa from West to the East coast with fewer than 6000 individuals scattered across an area the size of Mexico.
It is extremely rare and highly threatened with extinction. Since all three Northern giraffe subspecies are already Critically Endangered under the IUCN, the species itself is expected to be classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered following an upcoming IUCN review.
Challenges Facing the Northern Giraffe
Human-led deforestation and agriculture have drastically reduced the habitats of all giraffe species, including the Northern giraffe. Since the early 1960s, the Northern giraffe’s range has shrunk by more than 75%, leaving populations highly fragmented.
This habitat loss has particularly severe consequences for the Nubian giraffe, a subspecies of the Northern giraffe, surviving in Uganda, South Sudan, Northern Kenya and Ethiopia.
Although legally protected, Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, home to over 1,600 Nubian giraffes and the stronghold for the species, faces ongoing threats from poaching, habitat loss, disease and climate change. These threats are increased by the development of extractive industries infrastructure development in the very heart of the National Park.
Chester Zoo’s Role in Conservation
In response to these threats, Chester Zoo is providing practical and financial support to a conservation programme led by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). This programme focuses on extensive giraffe population monitoring and protection in Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve and Lake Mburo National Park.
As part of this work, field teams have conducted annual surveys for the past 10 years covering more than 5,500 kilometres of savannah, woodland, and scrubland. These surveys, carried out by GCF and UWA rangers and research associates, are supported by a Chester Zoo grant.
In addition to natural population growth, GCF and UWA have successfully undertaken a series of translocations of Nubian giraffes to boost numbers and re-establish the species in several national parks across Uganda. These efforts have helped to expand the giraffe's range and strengthen populations in key areas, bringing the total number of Nubian giraffes in Uganda to nearly 2,000 individuals.
Advancing Giraffe Conservation with AI Technology
Thanks to intensive monitoring and protection efforts, the giraffe population in Murchison Falls National Park has increased by over 600 individuals in the last 10 years. This remarkable recovery highlights the effectiveness of long-term conservation strategies, demonstrating that with targeted protection, research, and collaboration, threatened giraffe populations can rebound. To further support GCF’s long-term monitoring efforts in Murchison Falls, Chester Zoo is working with Conservation AI to develop AI-led camera trap systems.
These innovative systems enhance field research by automating image analysis, allowing researchers to track giraffe movements, population trends, and habitat use more efficiently. By reducing manual data processing time, this cutting-edge technology helps field teams make faster, more informed conservation decisions.
Encouragingly, Northern giraffe numbers have increased since this project began, offering real hope for the species' long-term survival. With continued conservation efforts, translocation programmes, and technological advancements like AI monitoring, we can help secure the future of the Endangered Northern giraffe and ensure that these remarkable animals continue to thrive in the wild.
