Angolan giraffes arrive safely in Angola from Namibia

A second group consisting of 13 Angolan giraffes has successfully been relocated to Iona National Park in Angola, this time from Namibia.This is part of an ongoing conservation initiative to restore and enrich the park’s biodiversity.Last year, Angolan giraffes were returned to their historical home after an absence of more than a century, and this second translocation continues this conservation success story.When Angolan giraffes returned to Iona National Park in Angola last year, this was only the start of a long-standing commitment to species conservation by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), African Parks, and the Angolan government, who had teamed up to bring back Angolan giraffes after a long absence.According to the GCF, the additional 13 giraffes made the long journey from central Namibia to Iona National Park in south-west Angola recently.The move was sponsored by the GCF and African Parks.“The safe arrival of these giraffes to their historic home range is another critical step in restoring Iona National Park&#039;s ecological equilibrium. Their successful release holds huge potential to positively influence the local tourism industry,” said Augusto Archer de Sousa Mangueira, the governor of the Namibe Province of Angola.He said this in turn could generate jobs in tourism-related services, increase income for local communities and raise awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity.Long journey homeGCF said after the giraffes&#039; capture in Namibia, they travelled over 1 300 km in a journey that lasted over 48 hours before their successful release on 18 May.“Last year’s translocation was a success, with the introduced giraffe adapting well to their new home.”To bolster this small population and help with their long-term viability, it was decided to bring in additional giraffes to help further restore the region’s ecological processes.Giraffes are important landscape gardeners who shape vegetation through the browsing and dispersal of seeds due to their selective feeding habits.“By reintroducing giraffes to their historical range, we re-establish their range, ensure their long-term survival, and contribute to restoring the ecological balance in the region," said Stephanie Fennessy, executive director and co-founder of the GCF.Historic momentPedro Monterroso, park manager at Iona National Park, said last year’s reintroduction of giraffes was a pivotal moment in its history, signifying a major milestone in the ongoing commitment of African Parks and the environment ministry to restore Iona National Park towards ecological, social and financial sustainability.While giraffe populations in general have declined in the past 35 years due to habitat loss, poaching and other human-induced factors, recent targeted giraffe conservation efforts have seen positive effects and several populations have started to rebound.The GCF emphasised that conserving and protecting giraffes is crucial not only for their own survival but also for maintaining the balance and functionality of Africa’s ecosystems.

Angolan giraffes arrive safely in Angola from Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Angolan giraffes arrive safely in Angola from Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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