Their Journey to the Arusha Giraffe Centre

The first three Maasai giraffes arrived to the Arusha Giraffe Centre in December 2022. The trio – one male named Edward and two females, Valerie and Eliana – were rescued from the Mwsakini Corridor, an area between Tarangire and Manyara national parks considered the hot spot for poaching in Tanzania. These giraffes had wandered far from protected areas in search of food, putting them at grave risk in a region where poaching increased by 40% during the Covid pandemic.

The residents of the Arusha Giraffe Centre are rescued from areas affected by human-wildlife conflict, where their natural habitats are being converted into farmland and villages. This expansion has drastically reduced the available space for giraffes and other wildlife outside protected areas. Poaching for bush meat has further threatened their survival, with one in five giraffes being poached in these regions.

Partnering with TAWA & TAWIRI

Working alongside government veterinarians and conservation authorities like Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), the centre has provided a safe sanctuary for these endangered animals. TAWA donated the animals to the Arusha Giraffe Centre, which holds a permit for keeping captive giraffes. The residents now roam freely across 100 acres of regenerated landscape, free from the threats they once faced. Under 24-hour protection, they have adapted well to their new environment, with visitors able to observe them from as close as ten meters, their flight distance. Our Giraffe Guardians, all of whom are locally employed, care for the rescued giraffes. Many of them recall how giraffes and other animals once thrived in these areas before unsustainable farming practices degraded the land.

A Population Free from Giraffe Skin Disease

The Arusha Giraffe Centre aims to create a healthy, breeding population of giraffes free from Giraffe Skin Disease. This insurance population will eventually help replenish the natural giraffe population. Once stable, we will release selected individuals into protected areas outside of national parks to strengthen wild herds and support the overall conservation of giraffes in Tanzania.

Their presence at the centre helps raise awareness about giraffe conservation and the need to regenerate landscapes. Come meet our residents and join the journey – book your visit today!

National Giraffe Action Plan

The National Giraffe Conservation Action Plan was been produced by TAWIRI in 2020 to address the worrying trend. This plan has two primary conservation goals:

• To broaden understanding and awareness of giraffe conservation status in Tanzania.
• To reduce threats to giraffe populations and their habitats in Tanzania while increasing benefits to people.

Our AGC mission closely mirrors these National aims.