The giraffes at Taronga Western Plains Zoo were given an extra carrot or two on Thursday in the name of a special cause.
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June 21 is World Giraffe Day. It aims to promote awareness of the animal and their plight in the wild.
Giraffe keeper Nick Taylor said most people weren’t aware giraffe numbers had plummeted by 40 per cent in the last 30 years.
“Giraffe are under threat due to illegal bush meat trade, habitat destruction, trophy hunting and poaching,” Mr Taylor said.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo has partnered with Biliqo-Bulesa Conservancy, a branch of the Northern Rangelands Trust, to sell beadwork made by women in Northern Kenya. It provides women with an alternative income to livestock which compete with giraffe for resources such as water and vegetation.
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“Visitors to the Zoo can purchase the colourful beadwork from the Zoo shop with proceeds going toward improving wildlife security and rangeland health in Kenya – the giraffe’s natural habitat,” said Mr Taylor.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo currently has 16 giraffe spanning more than four generations.
Mr Taylor said while most days at the zoo felt like World Giraffe Day, they would give the animals a few more treats to celebrate the day.