The African Fund for
Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W) K. LTD.
(The Giraffe Centre)
The Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife (A.F.E.W.) Kenya was founded in 1979 by the late Jock Leslie-Melville, a Kenyan citizen of British descent, and his American-born wife, Betty Leslie-Melville. They began the Giraffe Centre after discovering the sad plight of the Rothschild Giraffe. A subspecies of the giraffe found only in the grasslands of East Africa.
The Giraffe Centre has also become world-famous as a Nature Education Centre, educating thousands of Kenyan school children every year.
At the time, the animals had lost their habitat in Western Kenya, with only 130 of them left on the 18,000-acre Soy Ranch that was being sub-divided to resettle squatters. Their first effort to save the subspecies was to bring two young giraffes, Daisy and Marlon, to their home in the Lang’ata suburb, southwest of Nairobi. Here they raised the calves and started a program of breeding giraffes in captivity. This is where the center remains to date.
Betty and Jock then registered A.F.E.W. in the United States. Funds were raised to move five other groups of giraffes to different safe areas. Breeding herds of 26 giraffes were translocated from Soy Ranch to the Ruma Game Reserve in present-day Homa Bay County, Lake Nakuru National Park in Nakuru and Nasolot Game Reserve in modern-day West Pokot County. In 1985, seven giraffes were introduced to Yodder Flower Farm near the Mwea Game Reserve in Mbeere District in Eastern Kenya.
In 1983, funds raised by A.F.E.W. USA helped build the Educational Centre on a 60-acre sanctuary. This with the extraordinary vision of creating an educational institution in conjunction with rescuing the giraffe. The Giraffe Centre opened its doors to the public and students the same year, receiving over 800 excited students.
There are now over 300 Rothschild Giraffe safe and breeding well in various Kenyan national parks. Recent herds have been introduced to Soysambu Ranch by Lake Elementaita in the Great Rift Valley, Kigio Conservancy, and the Sergoit Ranch in the Mount Elgon region.
The Sanctuary.
Take a stroll, or hike if you’re up to it, in our serene 1.5-kilometre nature trail and see how many species of bird you can spot – the record in one stroll is 60! Watch out for smaller animals such as dikdik and squirrels.
The trail goes down to the snaking Gogo River. If you want to see its source, Ngong Hills, go up to Viewpoint. The view is breathtaking.
An alternate route back to the center will pass you by the Warthog Den. Be careful that one doesn’t come springing after you from the deep black holes!
CONSERVATION
Many people, young or old, have little to no knowledge of Kenya’s extraordinary landscape and wildlife. Through our Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) programs, we aim to cultivate an interest in the environment by highlighting the practical benefits of conservation to people, as well as animals.
RAISING ROTHSCHILD GIRAFFES
Breeding of the endangered Rothschild Giraffe is one of our main programs.
The calves are then released into the wild at two to three years old when they are independent enough to survive. So far, we have released more than 40 giraffes into safe game parks and conservancies across the country. We work with Kenya Wildlife Service’s (KWS) veterinary doctors to keep the tower in good health.
CONSERVATION SUPPORT
Breeding of the endangered Rothschild Giraffe is one of our main programs.
The calves are then released into the wild at two to three years old when they are independent enough to survive. So far, we have released more than 40 giraffes into safe game parks and conservancies across the country. We work with Kenya Wildlife Service’s (KWS) veterinary doctors to keep the tower in good health.
TRAINING OF TRAINERS WORKSHOPS (TOTS)
Giraffe Centre holds workshops for primary and secondary school teachers, college lecturers and Curriculum Support Officers. The goal is to help them realize their role in environmental education and conservation education. They are tasked with applying what they have learnt with their students. With our help, they carry out projects such as school greening, waste management and food security in their communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETITION
Giraffe Centre holds workshops for primary and secondary school teachers, college lecturers and Curriculum Support Officers. The goal is to help them realize their role in environmental education and conservation education. They are tasked with applying what they have learnt with their students. With our help, they carry out projects such as school greening, waste management and food security in their communities. For this year’s competition poster, click here