For the love of giraffes

For thirty years giraffes have been quietly disappearing from the planet. Forty percent of the world's giraffes are gone and this dramatic decline in their wild population is now being called The Silent Extinction. For every four African elephants there is only one giraffe.

Over the years Giraffes have become a target for black markets. Giraffes are poached for their skins, bones, and tiny horns called ossicones. Worse yet, game hunters pay thousands of dollars kill them for trophies. 

As industry takes over more and more land in Africa giraffes are considered a nuisance and are often shot and killed indiscriminately to get them out of the way. A mother giraffe requires 18 months to give birth to just one baby giraffe, and half never make to adulthood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies giraffes as Endangered.                                       

When Time Magazine published the article on The Silent Extinction of Giraffes, Michele Mattingly, a high school English teacher set out for Africa. During her climb on Mount Kilimanjaro she had a revelation. Perhaps giraffes could still be saved. Her Kilimanjaro guide, a Tanzanian national named Kefas shared her passion for giraffes, and an idea was formed.

What began as a casual friendship between Michele and Kefas deepened into a commitment and connection. Their shared love of wild giraffe took them on a mission.  Over four years they sketched out plans and entertained ideas, and then came the pandemic.

Finally in 2023 she and Kefas established a 501c3 charity called, The World Giraffe Alliance and from there the alliance grew.

Our purpose is to educate, inspire, and raise awareness about giraffe conservation worldwide, and while we connect with communities across the globe, our primary focus is on a life-changing project: building a giraffe sanctuary. 

In 2023 the team grew to include two Ugandan citizens who are conservationists and three Americans with passion and energy for the cause.  In 2024 a space opened in the heart of Maasai territory right in  view of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Our beautiful is space is called Tafakari (Reflection) for this is a place of peace and inner focus. This land will be a haven for giraffes and a place for visitors, but we need we need your support to bring it to life. 

Our small but passionate team is working tirelessly, securing grants and seeking investors. But the heart of this mission lies with individuals like you—people who care deeply about wildlife and believe in creating a future for giraffes.   Please join the team and be a giraffe hero.