World’s Last Known White Giraffe Fixed With a GPS Tracking Device

The world’s last known white giraffe has been fitted with a GPS tracking device on November 17, 2020. GPS tracking device has been fitted in order to keep poachers at bay in north-east Kenya.

Highlights

With the GPS tracking system, rangers can monitor the lone male giraffe’s movements in real time. The Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy oversees wildlife in the Kenya highlighted that the tracking device was attached giraffe’s horns on November 8, 2020. The tracking device will provide hourly updates on whereabouts of Giraffe. Thus, it will enable the rangers to keep the unique animal safe from poachers.

Why this step is significant?

The last known giraffe is suffering from a rare genetic condition called leucism that causes the loss of skin pigmentation. This turns the skin to white and so the Giraffe stands out among the others. This enables the poachers to reach out to them easily.  Rangers fear the giraffe might suffer the same fate as other member of his family with similar white skin. So the tracking becomes significant.

White Giraffes in Kenya

White giraffes were first spotted in Kenya in the March month of 2016. Before that, it was sighted in Tanzania in the same year.

Threats

40% of the giraffe population has disappeared in the last 30 years. This loss is mainly linked with poaching and wildlife trafficking as per a report by Africa Wildlife Foundation (AWF).

IUCN Status

The global population of the Giraffes stands at 68,293. So, the Giraffes have been listed as a vulnerable species in The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.