Animal Facts
Scientific Name
Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi
Range
Masai giraffes live in Tanzania and southern Kenya. (other giraffe varieties are found other places in Africa.)
Location in the Zoo
African Forest
Cool Animal Fact
Giraffe ‘horns’ aren’t actually horns at all – they are called ossicones, which are formed by cartilage and covered in skin. When babies are born, their ossicones don’t quite stand up all the way – they start standing up straight as they grow.
How we Help Save Them
- We provide support for a giraffe protection program in Kenya that creates healthy and safe habitat for giraffe and other wildlife.
- We provide salaries and training for Kenyan rangers conducting daily patrols.
- Rangers made 4 arrests of illegal hunters and removed 120 wire traps protecting giraffe and other wildlife in 2019.
- 200 Kenyan community members celebrated the work they are doing to protect giraffe on World Giraffe Day (June 21, 2019)
How You Can Help
Visit the Zoo! Every time you visit the Houston Zoo, you help us with this work to save giraffes in the wild.
Donate to help giraffes and hirola in the wild:
How We Help Save the Hirola
- Wildlife Warrior award winner, Ali, gained a certificate in computer studies. He is now in charge of data in the field and is training other hirola rangers on his new set of skills.
- 40 members of the Herders for Hirola program were trained in wildlife tracking and monitoring techniques.
- Celebrated World Hirola Day in Garissa County. Increased the awareness of more than 500 locals on the plight of hirolas.
- Monthly school visits to a total of 12 schools, reaching 480 students within the hirola’s region creating awareness on wildlife and habitat conservation.
Giraffe News / More ›
Houston Zoo’s Elderly Female Giraffe Dies
Good News: We are Ensuring Giraffes are Protected in the Wild
