Local reserves and organisations unite to strengthen giraffe conservation in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Somkhanda Community Game Reserve, in partnership with WILDTRUST, the
Wildlife Emergency Fund (WEF), Albus Environmental and the Somkhanda Wildlife
Foundation, has welcomed eight giraffes translocated from Pongola Game Reserve.
This collaborative conservation effort was facilitated and fully funded by WEF and
Albus Environmental to support genetic diversity and long-term population stability in
the region.
Somkhanda Community Game Reserve is a 12,000-hectare, community-owned Big
5 reserve located in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Established in 2005 through a
landmark land restitution process, the reserve is owned by the Emvokweni
Community Trust on behalf of the Gumbi community. Somkhanda stands as a
leading example of community-led conservation, where wildlife protection and
community development are deeply interconnected.
Pongola Game Reserve, recognised as one of Zululand’s premier conservation
areas, is celebrated for its commitment to wildlife protection and ecological
stewardship.
This latest giraffe translocation sees five females and three males introduced into
Somkhanda’s predominantly male giraffe population—an important step towards
restoring balance and enhancing genetic diversity within the reserve.
Across Africa, giraffe face mounting threats. Current estimates indicate that only
117,000–140,000 giraffe remain on the continent. Populations have declined by
nearly 30% over the past three decades—a trend described by the Giraffe
Conservation Foundation as a “silent extinction”. Habitat loss, fragmentation,
disease, and illegal hunting remain the primary threats. However, targeted initiatives
such as improved monitoring, habitat protection, and responsible translocation
projects have contributed to a gradual recovery in certain regions.
Dereck Milburn, Director at the Wildlife Emergency Fund, said: “It’s taken a lot of
people collaborating to make this project possible. We’ve partnered with
WILDTRUST, and Grant Tracy — his incredible team caught the giraffes —we
couldn’t do it without them, to be honest. It’s a very special project.”
“Catching giraffes is not easy; it’s one of the most technical captures in the industry.
On the day of the translocation, we selected several bulls and six breeding cows,
because Somkhanda specifically asked for that.”
WILDTRUST CEO, Dr Roelie Kloppers, added: “We believe in working
collaboratively with individuals and organisations who value both people and planet,
and who share our vision of driving meaningful environmental change. This
translocation will significantly enhance the tourism and economic potential of
Somkhanda, and we are grateful for the continued support from WEF and Albus
Environmental for this unique community-owned reserve.”
Somkhanda Game Reserve manager, Meiring Prinsloo, said:“It’s a wonderful
opportunity to see another group of giraffes arriving. We received eight giraffes
—five females and three males. They will be introduced into our current herd, which
needs new genetics. This is a very valuable contribution.”
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Wildlife Emergency Fund and
WILDTRUST, for their generous support in facilitating this giraffe donation to
Somkhanda Game Reserve.
“Over the years, reserve management has worked closely with both partners on a
number of species conservation and translocation initiatives. This continued
collaboration reflects a shared vision for strengthening ecological resilience and
advancing biodiversity stewardship within the reserve.
Photo Credit: Wiki West
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