White Giraffe
A male giraffe with a rare genetic trait called leucism that causes a white color is darted with a tranquilizer in order to fit a GPS tracking device as seen from a helicopter over the Ishaqbini Community Conservancy in Kenya on November 8, 2020.
Ishaqbini Community Conservancy via AP
  • The world’s last known white giraffe has been fitted with a GPS tracker in order to deter poachers earlier this month.
  • The male giraffe, which has a rare genetic trait called leucism that causes a white color, has been fitted with the device at Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy in Ijara, Garissa County, Kenya.
  • The GPS was placed on one of the giraffe’s horns and will give rangers hourly updates of its location so they can monitor his movements, a Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) statement said.
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The world’s last known white giraffe has been fitted with a GPS tracker to deter poachers earlier this month.

The male giraffe, which has a rare genetic trait called leucism that causes a white color, has been fitted with the device at Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy in Ijara, Garissa County, Kenya.

Another white giraffe and her calf were discovered in Kenya in March 2016  after being spotted in neighboring Tanzania and were then caught on camera the following year, BBC News reported.

Another calf soon joined them, and the family of three lived in the sanctuary until they were killed by poachers in March 2020, according to CNN. 

The GPS was placed on one of the giraffe’s horns on November 8 and will give rangers hourly updates of its location so they can monitor his movements, a Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) statement said.

Antony Wandera, Northern Rangelands Trust's Senior Wildlife Monitoring, said: "Our mission is to work with communities, enable them to be resilient, secure their livelihoods as well as protect the unique wildlife like the only known white giraffe." 

White Giraffe

Ahmed Noor, Manager at Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, added: The giraffe's grazing range has been blessed with good rains in the recent past and the abundant vegetation bodes well for the future of the white male."

Around 40% of the Africa's giraffe population has been lost over the past 30 years due to both poaching and animal trafficking, according to the African Wildlife Foundation.

The Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy is also home to the endangered reticulated giraffe.

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