World Giraffe Day
Over the past 35 years, giraffe numbers have decreased by nearly 30%.
Our World Giraffe Day State of Giraffe highlights conservation efforts and status of wild giraffe in Africa.
5 Facts About Giraffe
Fact #1:
There are four distinct species of giraffe: Northern giraffe, Southern giraffe, Reticulated giraffe and Masai giraffe.
Fact #2:
Just like human fingerprints, no two giraffe have the same coat pattern.
Fact #3:
The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world. Even newborn giraffe are taller than most humans.
Fact #4:
Giraffe have lost almost 90% of their habitat in the last 300 years.
Fact #5:
For every four elephant, only one giraffe remains in the wild in Africa—a drop of approximately 30% in the last three and a half decades.
World Giraffe Day 10-year Anniversary Commemorative Art Prints
Available until June 30th.
Our Impact
What is Silent Extinction?
Can you imagine a world without giraffe?
Over the past 35 years, giraffe numbers have decreased by nearly 30%. In regions once considered prime habitats, their numbers have dropped by up to 95%, and giraffe have lost nearly 90% of their historical range over the last three centuries.
The plight of giraffe, one of conservation’s best-kept secrets, is finally coming to light. Despite a significant decline in their population over recent decades, giraffe have garnered minimal attention and support for their conservation. Research conducted by conservationists has led to critical discoveries for the preservation of giraffe in the wild, most notably the identification of four distinct giraffe species. Among these, two species have such critically low populations that they are among the most endangered large mammals on the planet.
In the BBC documentary “Giraffe: Africa’s Gentle Giants”—featuring GCF’s important work in Africa—Sir David Attenborough referred to this decline as a “Silent Extinction.” These alarming numbers serve as a reminder that we need to protect giraffe now before it is too late.
GCF is the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild throughout Africa. We are dedicated to securing a future for all giraffe populations in the wild. Our conservation approach is based on solid science and our Translocation Programs are just one example that proves our success by actively bringing giraffe back into areas where they originally reigned.
Whether you’re telling a friend, adopting a giraffe, or wearing one of our official t-shirts at the park, your support puts you at the center of our work. You are the backbone of our conservation actions and partnerships throughout Africa.
Take the Giraffe Social Media Challenge
Help us take over social media for World Giraffe Day! We'll even give you the photos for free.
Shop in the Official GCF Gift Shop
Shop for gifts—mugs, postcards, notebooks, t-shirts, and hoodies—from our official gift shop.
Adopt a Giraffe (yes, you read that correctly)
Our official giraffe adoptions help fund our giraffe translocation program. This program returns wild giraffe to their historical habitats in Africa. Also available as a gift.
Wear Official World Giraffe Day Apparel
Our official apparel is a great way to spread the word about giraffe conservation. Shirts, hoodies, and more are available from our official apparel page.
Share a Charity Print from our gift shop
These Limited Edition giraffe prints are available for a limited time and are part of our annual fundraising efforts. Share a print on social media or buy one as a gift!
Make a Donation to GCF
Every donation directly impacts over 100 million acres of giraffe habitat.
Make a Donation
Our current fundraising goal is $65k.
Together, we can make a difference!
Make an offline donation (USA only) by sending a check to:
Giraffe Conservation Foundation 17 S Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801
By providing a donation to GCF, you agree that GCF may use your name and logo solely for the purposes of describing your donation to us. You may only use the GCF name and logo (the “GCF Marks”) with our prior written consent. Requests for consent may be submitted here. Upon receipt of our consent, you may use the GCF Marks solely for the purpose of describing your donation to GCF. You shall not use the GCF Marks in a manner suggesting that GCF endorses or has endorsed any of your products or services. You shall not have the right to sub-license any of the GCF Marks to a third party, unless GCF expressly grants such right in writing.
Make an offline donation (USA only) by sending a check to:
Giraffe Conservation Foundation 17 S Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801
By providing a donation to GCF, you agree that GCF may use your name and logo solely for the purposes of describing your donation to us. You may only use the GCF name and logo (the “GCF Marks”) with our prior written consent. Requests for consent may be submitted here. Upon receipt of our consent, you may use the GCF Marks solely for the purpose of describing your donation to GCF. You shall not use the GCF Marks in a manner suggesting that GCF endorses or has endorsed any of your products or services. You shall not have the right to sub-license any of the GCF Marks to a third party, unless GCF expressly grants such right in writing.
Special thanks to our World Giraffe Day supporters around the world
Celebrate giraffe around the world
World Giraffe Day is an initiative of GCF and the celebrations are joined by zoos, schools, NGOs, governments, institutions and conservation organisations around the world join by hosting events on 21 June to raise awareness and support for giraffe in the wild. Check out who is celebrating and supporting World Giraffe Day.
Are you also celebrating WGD with us? If your logo is still missing, simply get in touch.
World Giraffe Day
Social Media Challenge
The challenge is easy: Just post a giraffe-themed photo or artwork to social media on June 21st, World Giraffe Day. If you don’t have any photos, don’t worry—we’ve chosen these pictures for you. Just download the pictures below and post them. We’ll post new photos for you every few hours, so be sure to check back.
Be sure to use our hashtags to help raise awareness about giraffe’s Silent Extinction: #StandTallForGiraffe, #WorldGiraffeDay, #KeepCalmAndSaveAGiraffe
Who is GCF?
The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely on the conservation and management of giraffe in the wild throughout Africa.
Our Process
Partnerships are at the core of our conservation approach. We work with African governments and agencies, other conservation organisations, academic institutions and local people. These partnerships have enabled us to have a powerful impact on over 100 million acres of giraffe habitat.
Our Success
Our Translocation Program is just one of many giraffe conservation actions and a proven success as we are actively bringing giraffe back into areas where they originally reigned.
#StandTallForGiraffe on World Giraffe Day
We’ll send you awe-inspiring photos and artwork of giraffe in your inbox on World Giraffe Day, and twice more each year. Opt-out at any time.
Somewhere, a giraffe will thank you!