Giraffe Conservation Foundation

Both the derivation of the giraffe's name (believed to be from the Arab word zarafa, which means fast walker) and their collective noun "a journey of giraffe" allude to their ability to cover large distances. This ability is beneficial for many reasons including facilitating genetic diversity between different giraffe populations, access to seasonal resources, and ecosystem health.

Unfortunately, today the ability to cover larger distances is hindered by anthropogenic pressures such as habitat loss and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict and climate change. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation has stepped in to help by translocating 14 giraffe from Namibia to Angola's Iona National Park, a journey of approximately 800 miles. Several years of civil war have extirpated them from their former home range in Angola, and this reintroduction to their historical range goes a long way to supporting their long-term survival.