Conservation charity African Parks has announced the release of 13 giraffes at Malawi’s Majete Wildlife Reserve.
The move represents the first introduction of the species into Malawi’s National Parks and Wildlife Reserves.
Nine of the animals were transported in October from South Africa and the other four came from a private collection in Malawi.
Majete has been managed by African Parks and Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) since 2003.
Craig Hay, Majete Wildlife Reserve park manager, said: “Majete contains the ideal habitat for giraffe as well as the protection to provide them and all the other wildlife here the security they need.”
Dr Julian Fennessy, Giraffe Conservation Foundation director, added: “Introducing giraffe in Majete is an example of how collaborative partnerships can make a difference to save giraffe in the wild before it is too late.
“Without giraffe, the African landscape is a poorer place and we continue to work with great partners to make a difference.”
The charity said southern Africa has a “robust population of giraffe” but very few in Malawi.
This move brings national numbers to just over 30 animals and aims to provide a safe wilderness areas for giraffe populations to grow.
Image credit: Frances Forrer, African Parks.