Giraffes are stuck on a flooding island. But the rescues have begun

[marmar]

(CNN) Time was running out for Asiwa, a Rothschild’s giraffe in western Kenya.

For years, she and seven other giraffes had been living on a peninsula that reached out into Lake Baringo. But rising lake levels, caused by relentless rain, had gradually turned the peninsula into an island, leaving the animals stranded.

It was especially grim for Asiwa, who was stuck on a marshy part of the island, separated from the other giraffes with only about an acre of land to forage for food. And the flooding was only getting worse.

She needed to be rescued.

Conservationists have teamed up with Kenyan wildlife authorities and local members of the community to start moving the giraffes off the island and into a new sanctuary within the 44,000-acre Ruko Conservancy. ..........(more)

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/12/world/giraffe-rescue-kenya-cnnphotos/index.html

[Demovictory9]

2. Trophy hunters like the trump sons would love an easy hunt

Like giraffes stuck on an island

[jeffreyi]

6. Even better

Sedate them for that easy shot. Then take pictures with your "trophy." Cut off the tail for good measure. I hate those f**ckers.

[yellowcanine]

3. Where is Marlin Perkins?

Sounds like a job for Wild Kingdom. Marlin can preen in front of the cameras while his flunkies save the giraffes.

[cojoel]

4. Apparently he is in Carthage, Missouri

At the Park Cemetery - Mausoleums, and has been since 1986.

[Blues Heron]

5. takes a lot to flood a giraffe - must be pretty deep!

[StarryNite]

7. Amazing story and photos.

Thank you so much for sharing marmar. I wish the rescuers all the best, they are heroes.

Excerpt from the article:

“The plan was to make the giraffe a symbol of unity and peace to end their long-standing conflict,” said Vitale, a National Geographic photographer whose work often reminds us of how our fate is intertwined with the fate of other species.

Since she started documenting a story about one of the world’s last white rhinos in 2009, Vitale has focused on wildlife and conservation efforts. Her latest book shows how China is trying to save pandas from extinction.

“My hope is that these images can inspire people and remind them that this is the only home we have,” she said. “We have poked some big holes in our shared little life raft. What happens next is in all of our hands.”