Rothschild’s giraffe at Paignton Zoo, Devon
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
This giraffe subspecies, also known as the Baringo giraffe, is native to savannahs, open woodlands and grasslands of Kenya and Uganda, Africa.
All giraffes are herbivores and their long necks are specially adapted to reach the leaves of tall trees, such as the acacia. They can also eat fruit, shoots and browse.
Conservation
Poaching and degradation of their habitat are main reasons that took this species to an Endangered conservation status on the IUCN Red List. Although many Rothschild’s giraffes are kept in protected areas for their preservation, it is vital to breed and learn more about this species within zoological collections.
Our giraffes are involved in the EAZA ex-situ breeding programme (EEP) for the species.