Does the Uganda Wildlife Education Center have Rothschild's giraffes?
The map has giraffes listed in the "Kidepo" section, but it looks like this may be a future development rather than an existing facility...can't really tell from the map.
Though am not sure about the subspecies, I do believe that the Giraffes kept there are Rothschilds. I'll upload some more pictures so you can have a look for yourself (I have many more pictures but too little time to upload them all… )
My impression of this zoo is quite positive. Most certainly as far as African zoos go!!! The species kept there are all local species, and the zoo on itself is very educational as all the animals and plants/trees (!!!) are accommodated by signs with extra information. The enclosures are very large, even for western standards. So altogether, yes, my impression of this zoo is pretty positive!
I work in Aviation so I travel quite often. I've visited most of the national parks in Uganda. It's definitely worth the trip, though it may be very expensive. How come you have a special interest in Giraffes?
Btw, I just uploaded two pictures of the Giraffe's enclosure with the animals in it, so you can see what subspecies that is. I will upload more pictures asa I have some time…
I work in Aviation so I travel quite often. I've visited most of the national parks in Uganda. It's definitely worth the trip, though it may be very expensive. How come you have a special interest in Giraffes?
I work on giraffe conservation projects as part of the IUCN giraffe specialist group. I studied giraffe speciation using genetics and my collaborator Rick Brenneman went to Murchison Falls to collect genetic samples from the Uganda population. I had the good fortune of seeing Rothschild's giraffes in Kenya, but would love to see their cousins in Uganda also.
Uganda has the last truly wild population of Rothschilds giraffes, as those in Kenya have been translocated to areas outside of their natural range (their natural range is now the agricultural belt of Western Kenya).
Oh that's really intriguing! I assume a trip to Africa would be indeed 'mandatory' for your work! I've only seen them at the Entebbe zoo, and am not sure whether they're being kept in any European zoo (perhaps Berlin?).
I remember seeing Masai Giraffes at the Tel-Aviv (Israel) 'Safari' zoo which got me pretty impressed (hadn't seen those before). Btw, I also know that some private collectors keep Giraffes in the US, as I've seen them on sale (e.g. in TX) but I'm not sure as to what subspecies those belonged. I think those were Reticulated, but am not sure… perhaps you know?
In any case, thanks for the info! Fascinating stuff!
