Working Together
to Save Wild Giraffe
Liza Dadone, Andi Kornak,
& Kristen Lukas
Session Goals
1. Provide overview of Giraffe
SMSS application process
2. Review program time line
3. Summarize current giraffe
conservation initiatives
4. Discuss conservation priorities
5. Create list of possible Giraffe
SMSS zoo partners
What are SAFE Member-Sponsored
Species (SMSS) Programs?
A group of AZA members working
together to improve conservation success
by increasing collaborations
AZA’s SAFE Programs
• Signature Species
- Currently 10 programs
- No new applications being
accepted for now
• NEW: SAFE MemberSponsored Species
(SMSS)
- 2 or more zoos jointly apply
- Giraffe are the 1st approved
SMSS program
1. Giraffe SMSS Application Process
• We got involved because our directors heard about
the new program & asked us to co-sponsor Giraffe
Criteria for SMSS Selection
• Species
- Threatened w extinction
- Established conservation plan
• AZA Facilities
- 2+ yrs conservation for this species
- At least 2 zoos work together to
develop & implement a
conservation plan
Why are Giraffe the 1st SMSS Program?
• Giraffe & our 2 Zoos meet
the initial criteria
• We asked AZA if giraffe
could be a pilot species for
the new SMSS process
- AZA agreed
Don’t Other Species Need More Help?
• Some species do!
- This application doesn’t prevent them
from being SMSS programs also
• Many zoos already involved w
Giraffe Conservation
• Wild giraffe are in more trouble
than previously thought
Wild Giraffe
Populations in Decline
• 40%
in 30 years
• Locally extinct in 7
African countries
• Dec 2016: IUCN
reclassified giraffe as
Vulnerable to
Extinction
Species
Subspecies
Classification
2016 Wild Population
Giraffe
Angolan
Kordofan
Masai
Nubian
Reticulated
Rothschild’s
South African
Thornicroft’s
West African
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Endangered
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Endangered
13,031
2,000
31,611
650
8,661
1,671
38,938
600
400
97,562
Total
Why Focus on Giraffe
Conservation in Kenya,
Tanzania & Uganda?
• These populations are decreasing
or endangered
• Represents giraffe in AZA
• Reticulated
• Rothschild’s
• Masai
• Relatively stable regions to get
involved
Wild Giraffe in SMSS Focus Region
Giraffe
Subspecies
Est # Wild
Population
Giraffe in 2016 Change in Past
30 Yrs
Kenya
Masai
Nubian/Rothschild’s
Reticulated
12,000
276
8,700
46% decrease
Marked increase
80% decrease
Uganda
Nubian/Rothschild’s
>1,550
Marked increase
Tanzania
Masai
20,000-23,000
57% decrease
Source: Muller et al (2016) & GCF (2017)
Giraffe SMSS Application Process
• Reviewed criteria
• Discussed plan to apply w
- Giraffe & Antelope TAG
- Giraffid SSP
• Completed application w help from
AZA Field Conservation Committee
(FCC)
Giraffe SMSS
Proposal Was
Approved!
2. Giraffe SAFE 2017 Timeline
Giraffe
AZA
SMSS Midyear
program Meeting
begins
Letters of
Partnership Due
(if want to be part
of initial Strategy)
3 Yr
Strategy
Due to
AZA
SMSS Programs to Have
Measurable Increases Over 3 Yrs
• Awareness within & beyond AZA
about conservation efforts
• Opportunities for collaboration &
fundraising
• Impact of AZA conservation &
public engagement efforts
3 Yr Giraffe SMSS Strategy
• Scope depends on # of AZA
partners
• 97 AZA zoos currently
exhibit giraffe
• Must include at least 1
Public Engagement Action
Step
World Giraffe Day 2017
• 4th annual event
• 2017 Theme: Masai Giraffe
Conservation in Kenya &
Tanzania
• 32,000 Masai giraffe in these 2
countries
• > 50% decrease in 30 years
3. Current Giraffe Conservation Initiatives
National Strategy for
Giraffe Conservation
Giraffe Subspecies
Kenya
Yes
(2016-2020)
Masai
Nubian/Rothschild’s
Reticulated
Uganda
In Development
Nubian/Rothschild’s
Tanzania
No
Masai
Source: Muller et al (2016) & GCF (2017)
Other Africa-Based Giraffe Conservation Strategies
Country or
Organization
Strategy
Niger
National Strategy for Giraffe
Conservation (2017)
Giraffe Conservation
Foundation
Africa-Wide Giraffe Conservation
Strategic Framework (2016)
AZA Institutions Are Already Involved
AZA Giraffe
Conservation
Support
(ARCS Data)
Year
# Reporting
Institutions
Funding
2014
41
$205,511
2015
34
$244,835
2 Yr Total
$450,346
Kenya: Giraffe Conservation Threats
1. Habitat loss & fragmentation
2. Population isolation
3. Poaching
4. Gaps in info on distribution & #’s
5. Effects of climate change &
variability
• Develop
distribution
map
• Reduce
illegal
hunting
Kenya
Strategy
Highlights
Based on
Nat’l
Strategy
Protect
giraffe &
habitats
Community
involvement
• Create
alternate
livelihoods
Research
Education
• Build
awareness
nationally
• Monitor
population
trends
• Finalize
strategy
Uganda
Strategy
Highlights
Based on
Uganda
Rothschild’s • Establish
Giraffe
founder
Program
populations
(2015-16)
National
Strategy
Relocate
Some
Giraffe
Research
Education
• Build
enviro. ed.
programs
• Monitor
population
trends
• Determine if
of interest to
Gov’t
Tanzania
Giraffe
Conservation
National
Strategy
Based on
discussions w
IUCN Giraffe
Specialist
Group Members
Antipoaching
• Strengthen
law
enforcement
Research
Education
• Build
awareness
nationally
4. Discussion:
Conservation Priorities &
Action Plans
Discussion
1.
1. Which zoos have self-identified w each group?
• Which zoos are currently active there or interested
• Which area of engagement appeals to each zoo
2. Are we missing big categories that we need to
ID for effective giraffe conservation in that
country?
3. Who is not present at this meeting but should
be added to this conversation?
Kenya Group
• Develop
distribution
map
• Reduce
illegal
hunting
Working
Group
Discussions:
30 min
Report Back:
20 min
Protect
giraffe &
habitats
Community
involvement
National
Strategy
Antipoaching
Education
• Build
awareness
nationally
Uganda Group
• Monitor
population
trends
• Finalize
strategy
• Establish
founder
populations
Relocate
Some
Giraffe
• Monitor
population
trends
• Determine if
of interest to
Gov’t
Research
• Create
alternate
livelihoods
National
Strategy
Tanzania Group
Research
Education
• Build
enviro. ed.
programs
• Strengthen
law
enforcement
Research
Education
• Build
awareness
nationally
Public Engagement
Group
5. Create list of possible
Giraffe SMSS partners
Please sign-up!
Please Contact Us w
Questions & Comments!
Giraffe SAFE Member-Sponsored Species Liasons
- Liza Dadone
[email protected]
- Andi Kornak
[email protected]
- Kristen Lukas [email protected]