A New Chapter for Somkhanda as 8 Giraffes Find a Home and a Future

Photo Credit: Wiki West

An exciting new chapter is unfolding at Somkhanda Community Game Reserve as it welcomed eight towering new arrivals to its male-heavy giraffe population.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (18 March 2026) – In a wonderful win for conservation, eight giraffes have been successfully moved from Pongola Game Reserve to their new home at the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve.

This journey – a collaboration between the Somkhanda Wildlife Foundation, WILDTRUST, Wildlife Emergency Fund, and Albus Environmental – introduced five females and three males to the reserve. This move is a vital step toward a thriving, genetically diverse and long-term future for Somkhanda’s predominantly male giraffe population.

The 12,000-hectre Somkhanda Community Game Reserve stands as a leading example of Big 5 community-led conservation in Northern KZN, where wildlife protection and community development are deeply interconnected.

Across Africa, giraffes face mounting threats. Current estimates indicate that only 117,000–140,000 giraffes remain on the continent. Populations have declined by nearly 30% over the past three decades – a trend described by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation as a “silent extinction”.

Habitat loss, fragmentation, disease, and illegal hunting remain the primary threats. However, targeted initiatives such as improved monitoring, habitat protection, and responsible translocation projects like this recent one have contributed to a gradual recovery in certain regions.

Dereck Milburn, Director at the Wildlife Emergency Fund, said it took a lot of people and collaboration to make this project possible.

“We’ve partnered with WILDTRUST and Grant Tracy. His incredible team caught the giraffes. We couldn’t do it without them, to be honest. It’s a very special project.”

“Catching giraffes is not easy; it’s one of the most technical captures in the industry. On the day of the translocation, we selected several bulls and six breeding cows, because Somkhanda specifically asked for that.”

WILDTRUST CEO, Dr Roelie Kloppers, added that her team believes in working collaboratively with individuals and organisations who value both people and planet, and share their vision of driving meaningful environmental change.

“This translocation will significantly enhance the tourism and economic potential of Somkhanda, and we are grateful for the continued support from WEF and Albus Environmental for this unique community-owned reserve,” Kloppers says.

The vet team dart the giraffe from the helicopter as the ground team moves in. Photo Credit: Wiki West

Somkhanda Game Reserve manager, Meiring Prinsloo, said it was wonderful to witness the arrival of another group of giraffes.

“They will be introduced into our current herd, which needs new genetics. This is a very valuable contribution. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Wildlife Emergency Fund and WILDTRUST for their generous support in facilitating this giraffe donation to Somkhanda Game Reserve.

“Over the years, reserve management has worked closely with both partners on a number of species conservation and translocation initiatives. This continued collaboration reflects a shared vision for strengthening ecological resilience and advancing biodiversity stewardship within the reserve.”