Join Julian Fennessy at the Zoo on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at noon in the Lobby Auditorium.

Jullian Fennessy will also give the 2 pm Giraffe Zookeeper chat.

Giraffe appear to be everywhere, but with populations extinct in at least seven African countries and only approx. 90,000 remaining in the wild, it is time to draw attention to these forgotten giants. There is still a wide scope for research as little is known about their ecology, social networks and even taxonomy.

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is dedicated to securing a future for all giraffe in Africa and is the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of these mega fauna in the wild across Africa. Working across their range, GCF is collaborating with local and international partners to apply a wide range of conservation approaches.

The presentation will provide an overview of GCF’s work across Africa and touch on Operation Twiga, an exciting initiative to help save the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe in Uganda. With only less than 1,500 Rothschild’s giraffe remaining in the wild and 85% living in one national park that experiences increasing mining pressure after oil was discovered in the core giraffe range, it was time for action.             

Julian is the Co-Chair – IUCN SSC Giraffe & Okapi Specialist Group and  Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) – the only international organization dedicated to securing the conservation of giraffe in the wild. Julian has more than eighteen years of experience in conservation and sustainable development throughout Africa and Australia from wildlife management, environmental consulting, community conservation and land management.

As one of the foremost experts on giraffe, Julian is the Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group, which brings together the world’s experts on these two species. Julian has initiated and/or supported research and conservation projects across Africa, working closely with all stakeholders – communities, academics, NGOs and governments. The experienced gained from all aspects and involvement in projects has enabled Julian to best understand the needs of giraffe conservation across Africa, and the people living with and supporting their conservation.

Limited seating available, Free with Zoo admission and FOTZ membership.