By Staff Writer | Wajir Today | Wednesday, 12 November 2025
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has moved to clarify details surrounding the recent relocation of two giraffes from Wajir County, following public concern over the exercise.
In a statement, KWS said the decision to move the animals was made after a professional assessment and was carried out in strict adherence to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013.
The two giraffes had been rescued as abandoned calves two years ago by the KWS Wajir Station team. Since then, they have been under constant care and supervision by rangers in a controlled environment.
According to the agency, the animals had become dependent on human support for food and water, making their release into the wild unsafe. KWS explained that returning them to the open ecosystem would have exposed them to predation and poaching threats.
Based on a recommendation from the conservationists from the Northern Conservation Area, the giraffes were approved for translocation to a secure habitat where they could safely adapt and join other giraffes.
The service stressed that the operation was legal and consistent with its conservation mandate to conserve, manage, and regulate wildlife resources across Kenya, including the rescue, rehabilitation, and relocation of animals where necessary.
KWS emphasised that the exercise was guided by animal welfare considerations and the broader goal of ensuring ecological balance.
The agency also reiterated its commitment to openness and collaboration with local administrations, conservation organisations, and communities in safeguarding Kenya’s wildlife.
“We remain committed to transparency and partnership with county governments, local communities, and conservation partners,” the statement read in part. “Together, we can ensure that all wildlife conservation actions are well understood and implemented in the spirit of shared stewardship.”
The translocation marks one of the few wildlife rescue operations from Wajir County, a county often affected by drought and harsh environmental conditions.
