They are magnificent. Towering high, looking quite serene, and often meeting our gaze with their inquisitive nature.
Woburn Safari’s herd of 17 Rothschild Giraffe are a splendid bunch indeed.
And no-one will sing their praises, or defend these most beautiful of creatures moreso than senior keeper Lindsay Banks, writes Sammy Jones.
“They are so unique compared to other animals, and a species often overlooked by other people,” she says.
“People look at hoofstock and think they are really boring and everyone wants to work with the big cats or the elephants, but hoofstock are amazing and so diverse.
“No two days are ever going to be the same when you work with giraffe...”
But while this flighty creature might have the occasional mood swing, Lindsay (below) gets on perfectly with these beautiful lads and lasses.
“People think I am odd, but I am constantly talking to them all the time when I am working. I think that’s how you build up a bond with the animals – they know your voice, they know you are there and they get used to you.”
And she turns on the charm a little: “I wear the same perfume every day too!” she admits.
Lydsay began working with the big cats at Woburn some 12 years ago and moved across to the giraffe as soon as she was able.
The group of long-legged, longer-necked creatures are one of the first sights that visitors to the Safari Park see when they arrive.
Baby Prudence is the youngest member of the herd, a wee little ‘un clocking in at a mere seven feet tall, she takes plenty of attentions. She also loves to run, and seeing her charging around the reserve is a familiar sight!
But people don’t seem to notice the plight of the giraffe – numbers are falling drastically.”If you look at giraffe as a total, instead of looking at sub-species, you’ve got 80,000 left in Africa.
“There is one giraffe for every six African elephants, so they are a species really in trouble.”
And things are worse for the Rothschild: “There is thinking they are genetically distinct to other giraffe, which theoretically can make them a species in their own right,” Lindsay explained.
“If you take them as their own species, there are 1000 left, so they are in real trouble.”
And Lindsay has a stark warning. We can’t afford to be complacent if we want to ensure the survival of the creatures: “These guys will go because they are forgotten about.
“All the money being raised is for the charismatic species.
“Thats why groups like the GCF (Giraffe Conservation Foundation) are really important and are trying to step it up and highlight to people that they desperately need help – they need research doing on them in the wild, which is currently happening, but they also need the funds to start protecting their habitat.
“Giraffe are poached for their meat, there is a lot of meat on a giraffe, and their tail-hair makes bracelets.
“As populations grow, people are encroaching so much more on their environment, which reduces the areas they have.
“If you look at a giraffe, it’s not like a lion where you have human and wildlife conflict.
“Giraffe don’t bother anyone, they just go out and eat their browse.
“They are inoffensive.”
The good news is that it’s not too late to make a difference: “If you can get the public behind saving this species, then they have a real chance.
“It’s trying to get people to realise that with 1000 Rothschild giraffe left, it isn’t going to be long before they die out, and I can’t imagine Africa without giraffe.”
And Lindsay has been to Africa to see her beloved Rothschild roaming free.
“It is the most amazing experience ever,” she says with a smile, “Just seeing them in their big groups with the beautiful landscape, just being giraffe .”
Woburn has implemented browse stations within the enclosure too, and grows black poplars, believed to be the most endangered native timber tree in Britain. It means visitors are able to see the herd browsing from trees, as they would in the wild.
They are capable of consuming up to 34kg of browse daily.
Stinging nettles provide a good source of protein too, and are a particular favourite nibble for the herd.
As Lindsay talks, we are greeted by an assembly of animals towering above us, including Lindsay’s favourite, Frankie.
Lindsay is there (named after their champion), Kimmy, Casper (the tallest of the herd, he reaches a whopping 18ft), Acacia too, and Orbit, the hapless one of the bunch (“If anyone is going to find themselves in trouble it’s him”) and they want feeding, which I’m helping with.
Giraffe digestive systems are designed for leaves and branches only, and they have voracious appetites.
Armed with some of that tasty browse, I find they don’t need much tempting – and quite often I’m am greeted by a rather large tongue inside the jeep, seeking out the their desired.
“Occasionally I am greeted at eye level by an eye with lashes to die for!
There is no messing when it comes to munching, and the giraffe quickly strip the branches of tasty greenery, and there is some force there too.
It was suggested last week that giraffe are ‘vicious,’ but though these guys can pack a mean kick, there is no nastiness at play here.
“They are unpredictable,” Lindsay admits, “But they haven’t got hands to investigate things with – all they’ve got is their feet, their legs and their head.
“Sometimes they can be a bit clumsy, but not vicious!”
With the species in danger, this herd are incredibly important, and they are looked after wonderfully well.
And there is more good stuff on the way – a brilliant new giraffe house is coming. Work is set to begin in June 2016.
“It will have a nice, big, light and airy house for the females, and a bull pen and a separation pen in case we ever need to do anything with an animal.
“There should be a viewing window for the public too.
“We are hoping to do that at height, because seeing a giraffe at ground is a bit rubbish!”
To see Woburn's magnificent Rothschild herd book at http://www.woburnsafari.co.uk/
The GCF is the only organisation dedicated purely to giraffe conservation and research.
Find them at:http://www.giraffeconservation.org/
Pics: Al Hunter and Woburn Safari Park
