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Rothschild's Giraffe
Paignton Zoo is home to an all-female herd of giraffes: Otilie, Eliska, and Florrie. Each giraffe has their own distinct markings, which can help to tell apart individuals.
Class:
Mammals
Order:
Artiodactyla
Family:
Giraffidae
About the Rothschild's giraffe
Also known as the Baringo giraffe, these gentle giants are 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.
The only relative of the giraffe in the Giraffidae family is the okapi – another long-necked mammal native to Africa.
Conservation
Poaching and degradation of their habitat are the main reasons that this species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, although their numbers are thought to be much lower than their current assessment. Many Rothschild’s giraffes are kept in protected areas for their preservation, but it is still 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.