Save The Giraffes

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Save The Giraffes

Mission: "To guarantee that giraffes are protected and preserved in their natural habitat." Believe it or not, giraffes are vulnerable to extinction.

They are an endangered species. Their numbers have plunged over the last 30 years from around 150,000 to less than 100,000, or a little more than the population of New Braunfels, TX. Their numbers are declining because their landscape is disappearing, due to encroachment by people for farming and agriculture, as well as mining operations, civil unrest, resulting from rebel militias operating in gi

raffe habitats, illegal hunting, which sometimes funds the militias, and ecological changes, such as drought and global warming that require giraffes to wander into new areas. SAVE THE GIRAFFES aims to stop the decreases in the number of giraffes in Africa so that future generations can marvel at these magnificent creatures, the tallest mammal on the planet. But we are not only trying to save giraffes. Because giraffes require a large amount of land for feeding, we can save other wildlife and habitats when we focus on giraffe conservation. Giraffes live in areas that are also inhabited by endangered mammals, such as Cape hunting dogs, leopards, and Abbott’s duiker, endangered birds, such as the secretary bird, southern ground hornbill, and martial eagle, and endangered reptiles, such as the Usambara spotted worm snake. Giraffes are what conservationists call an ‘umbrella’ species because by protecting these iconic animals, we can protect a host of other not-so- iconic species that are also in trouble.

SAVE THE GIRAFFES subscribes to John Muir’s idea that “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it is hitched to everything else in the Universe”. We aim to not only save giraffes from extinction, but to save ecosystems and the habitats of many organisms. We strive to ensure that our descendants can be mesmerized by watching giraffes in Africa. Who wants a world without giraffes?

17/07/2026

🦒🧬 How does a giraffe embryo created in a laboratory become a baby giraffe in the wild?

Embryo transfer (ET) is one of the most promising assisted reproductive technologies for giraffe conservation, but it is still experimental. While it is routinely used in domestic animals such as cattle, it has only been used in a small number of wildlife species. At Save the Giraffes, our researchers are refining the techniques needed to make embryo transfer possible in giraffes, whose large size and unique reproductive anatomy present exciting challenges.

The first step is selecting a healthy female giraffe to act as a surrogate. Although she will carry the pregnancy, she may not be the calf’s genetic mother.

Our giraffes in South Africa are already having their reproductive hormones carefully monitored. This allows our scientists to synchronize the surrogate’s reproductive cycle so that her uterus is ready to receive the embryo at precisely the right stage of development.

A cryopreserved embryo is then carefully thawed and examined to ensure it is healthy following the freezing process. Using specialized veterinary techniques, the embryo is gently transferred into the uterus. If successful, it will naturally implant, and the surrogate will carry the pregnancy just as she would her own calf.

🌍 Why is this so important for giraffe conservation?

Embryo transfer has the potential to preserve valuable genetics, increase genetic diversity, and produce offspring from parents living thousands of kilometres apart—without ever moving the animals themselves.

Combined with our other assisted reproductive technologies, embryo transfer brings us closer to a future where increasingly fragmented giraffe populations can be managed using a true One Population Conservation approach. By preserving and sharing genetics across populations, we can help safeguard healthy, genetically diverse giraffe populations for generations to come.

Every embryo transferred represents so much more than the potential for a single giraffe calf...

It represents hope for the future of giraffe conservation.

10/07/2026

🦒🧬 How is an IVF giraffe embryo created?

It all starts with two carefully collected cells: a healthy egg cell (oocyte) from a female giraffe and a strong, motile s***m cell from a male.

If you’ve been following , you’ll know that Save the Giraffes has already pioneered the collection and cryopreservation of both of these remarkable cells.

In the laboratory, reproductive scientists carefully thaw cryopreserved s***m and prepare it so that only the healthiest, most motile s***m are selected. At the same time, mature cryopreserved oocytes are prepared for fertilization.

When a single s***m successfully fertilizes an egg, something incredible happens…

A brand-new giraffe embryo is created.

Over the following days, that embryo begins dividing and developing inside a specialized incubator. Every aspect of its environment—from temperature to nutrients and culture conditions—is carefully controlled to mimic the female reproductive tract and support healthy early development.

Once the embryo reaches the appropriate stage, it is cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at −196°C, preserving its genetic potential for the future. One day, that embryo may be transferred into a carefully synchronized female giraffe, where it can continue developing into a calf.

Every IVF embryo represents far more than a scientific milestone. It is an opportunity to preserve valuable genetics, increase genetic diversity, and provide new tools to help conserve one of Africa’s most iconic species.

Save the Giraffes scientists have already demonstrated the ability to produce IVF giraffe embryos in the laboratory—a landmark achievement for giraffe conservation and assisted reproductive science.

Each embryo brings us one step closer to a true One Population Conservation approach, where genetics can be preserved, shared, and used to help safeguard giraffes for generations to come.

03/07/2026

🦒🥚 How are giraffe egg cells (oocytes) collected and preserved?

Collecting and preserving female genetics is one of the newest frontiers in giraffe reproductive science—and it’s considerably more challenging than collecting s***m.

The procedure is performed by a team of veterinarians and reproductive specialists while the giraffe is safely under anesthesia.

Step 1: Finding the oocytes
A complete physical examination is performed, followed by an ultrasound to visualize the ovaries. The goal is to identify healthy ovarian follicles containing mature oocytes (egg cells).

Step 2: Collecting the oocytes
Using ultrasound guidance, a long sterile needle is carefully inserted into the follicles to gently aspirate (collect) the oocytes. Think of it like using a tiny straw to carefully draw the egg cell from the follicle.

Step 3: Evaluating the eggs
In the laboratory, each oocyte is examined under a microscope for its maturity, size, appearance, and overall quality. Only healthy oocytes are selected for the next stage.

Step 4: Maturing the oocytes
Many recovered oocytes are not yet fully mature. They are placed into a specialized culture medium inside an incubator that closely mimics the environment of the o***y, allowing them to complete their development.

Step 5: Preserving the future
Once mature, the oocytes are cryopreserved using an ultra-rapid freezing technique called vitrification and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Vitrification prevents damaging ice crystals from forming, helping preserve the delicate cells for future use.

Why preserve giraffe oocytes?

Frozen oocytes may one day help scientists:
🧬 Preserve valuable female genetics
🦒 Support future IVF and embryo transfer programs
🌍 Increase genetic diversity in managed populations
❄️ Build genetic biobanks alongside frozen semen samples

Why is it so much harder than preserving s***m?

Unlike males, females produce relatively few mature oocytes, and each egg cell is much larger and more fragile than a s***m cell. Oocytes are especially sensitive to damage during freezing and thawing, making their collection, maturation, and preservation one of the greatest challenges in wildlife reproductive s

26/06/2026

🦒🧬 How is giraffe semen collected and preserved for conservation science?

Giraffe s***m can be collected and cryopreserved (frozen at ultra-low temperatures) so that a male’s genetics can contribute to conservation long after collection—and even after his lifetime. This supports a “one-population” approach to giraffe conservation by connecting genetically valuable individuals across space and time.

Collection methods vary depending on the animal, facility, and context, but always involve a skilled team of veterinarians, reproductive specialists, and animal care professionals.

Some males may participate in voluntary collection through positive reinforcement training with familiar caregivers. More commonly, semen is collected under veterinary anesthesia using electroejaculation, where a specialized probe stimulates the reproductive tract to allow semen to be collected in a sterile container.

Once collected, the sample is evaluated under a microscope for:
• s***m concentration
• motility (movement)
• morphology (structure)
• viability (live/dead ratio)

Only high-quality samples are processed further.

The semen is then mixed with a semen extender (nutrient- and buffer-rich solution) and often a cryoprotectant to protect cells from freezing damage. It is gradually cooled, loaded into labeled straws, and frozen using controlled-rate methods in liquid nitrogen at -196°C.

Once cryopreserved, samples can be:
• used for artificial insemination
• transported globally without moving animals
• stored in genetic biobanks for future assisted reproduction

This work turns a single moment in time into long-term genetic potential.

Conservation isn’t only about protecting animals today—it’s also about preserving biological options for the future. 🧬❄️

17/06/2026

Fun Activities! 🦒📝

16/06/2026

Our partner and home of the Giraffe Research Centre, Amanzi Private Game Reserve's celebration of World Giraffe Week. 🦒🌍

08/06/2026

🦒🦒 The mission that became Save The Giraffes 🦒🦒

What began as a dream in the Texas Hill Country has become a bridge to the survival of giraffes.

More than 8,000 miles apart, two worlds are now connected by one mission. From Texas to South Africa, Save the Giraffes has built a bridge spanning continents, linking passionate conservationists, researchers, and communities in the fight to secure a future for giraffes.

At the heart of this vision stands the Giraffe Research Centre in South Africa—the first facility of its kind. Here, giraffes roam freely while researchers pioneer groundbreaking reproductive technologies and conservation science, unlocking new possibilities for protecting giraffe populations for generations to come.

What was once an idea has become a reality. A place where innovation meets conservation. A place where science is helping turn the tide against extinction.

This remarkable achievement was made possible through the support of Save the Giraffes and everyone who believes that giraffes deserve a future.

Together, we are building a bridge to their survival.

05/06/2026

🔬🦒 ReproFriday

Did you know about 50% of giraffe calves don’t survive their first year of life 😭
And fewer than 25% survive into adulthood.

Intense predation from lions, leopards, hyenas and crocodiles along with environmental factors such as drought all affect giraffe calf survival rates.

What can a mother giraffe do?🦒🤎

Giraffe mothers encourage their babies to stand up and follow them as soon as they are born.
They also can deliver a powerful and lethal kick! A single well placed kick from a mother giraffe protecting its baby can be enough to kill a lion!
They also use a crèche system whereby baby giraffes stay in a nursery group allowing their mothers to go and browse on leaves while other giraffes protect the group of calves.

Our role is clear: protect giraffe populations and their habitats so more calves have the chance to grow up and thrive.

29/05/2026

🔬🦒 ReproFriday

🦒 LOOK OUT BELOW! 🦒

Giraffes give birth standing up… which means a newborn calf can experience a fall of up to 6 feet into the world!

Surprisingly, this dramatic entrance doesn’t hurt the baby at all. In fact, the fall helps snap the umbilical cord and stimulates the calf to take its very first breath.

Baby giraffes are also born with some clever built-in protection: their hooves are covered in a soft, rubbery tissue and their ossicones (the horn-like structures on their heads) lie flat against the skull. This helps protect mom during birth. Soon after, the hoof covering dries and falls away, and the mother will lick and groom the ossicones to encourage them to stand upright.

And just like fingerprints, every giraffe calf is born with a unique spot pattern… but recent research shows those beautiful patterns are inherited directly from their mothers! 🤎

Did you know a baby giraffe’s first moments in life start with a six-foot drop? 👀

26/05/2026

Did you know giraffes are quietly facing a conservation crisis? These gentlemen giants are disappearing across Africa, and in some countries giraffes have already gone locally extinct. But together, we can help change their story.

The tallest animals on Earth need us to stand up for them.

Will you join us?🦒

❤️

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Pilansberg

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http://savethegiraffes.org/donate

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