By Staff Writer | Wajir Today | Monday, 10 November 2025
Two orphaned giraffes were on Monday relocated from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) station in Wajir to an orphanage in Laikipia, in a delicate operation aimed at ensuring their safety and long-term survival.
The translocation, carried out by KWS officers marks a rare wildlife rescue effort from Wajir County where a dry spell is biting.
According to KWS County Warden Jimale Rashid Hassan, the decision to move the giraffes came after concerns that they could not survive in the harsh conditions of Wajir or be safely released into the wild.
“These two giraffes have lived among people for too long,” Hassan said. “They were rescued as young orphans and raised here, but releasing them would put them in danger. They no longer fear humans, and that makes them vulnerable to poaching.”
He said the animals were being taken to a KWS facility in Laikipia where there is abundant forage.
“Here in Wajir, we only have 27 acres of dry land,” Hassan noted. “The vegetation is sparse, and the animals have been struggling. In Laikipia, they will have a better environment to grow strong and healthy.”
The giraffes, both males aged about two and a half years, were rescued after their mothers were killed, possibly by poachers. Since then, KWS rangers have raised them, feeding and protecting them within the fenced compound.
“They became part of our daily lives,” Hassan said. “But we had to make a tough decision. The drought is biting, and the risk of poaching has increased. This move gives them a real chance to live.”
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The operation drew attention from residents of Wajir town who gathered along the road to watch the rare spectacle.
Rangers and veterinary officers worked for hours to prepare the animals for the long journey, using specialised transport equipment to minimise stress.
Mukhtar Sheikh, from Wajir Giraffe Sanctuary, said his team worked alongside KWS throughout the process. “Both giraffes were loaded successfully, and the operation went smoothly,” he said. “
Wildlife officials have warned that giraffe populations continue to face threats from poaching, habitat loss, and climate stress. In arid counties like Wajir, worsening dry spell depleted vegetation and pushed wildlife closer to human settlements in search of pasture.
