Are you having a giraffe? Two residents of Nairobi hotel decide breakfast IS included with their stay

By Tom Goodenough


Being the world's tallest animal can have many advantages.

For one, it means that giraffes can beat off the competition and forage in the very highest treetops.

And at the Giraffe Manor in Kenya, the animal's long necks mean they are able to bring a whole new meaning to popping by for breakfast.

The cheeky giraffes frequently pop their heads through the windows of the hotel in Nairobi

The 20-foot creatures, whose necks alone can measure more than two metres, are frequent guests at the table of the Carr-Hartley family home in the morning.

But as well as swinging by for food, the nosey giants also have a reputation for poking their heads through the hotel doors and even peeking through the windows of guest's bedrooms.

In the shadow of Kenya’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest animals are free to roam their 140-acre estate and are regular visitors at their English-style manor built in the colonial era.

Every day, shortly before 9am, the mammoth beasts stroll up to the house and poke their heads through the windows and doors in search of morning treats.

The mammoth-sized guests pop by daily at 9am to see what is for breakfast

The unique hotel in Nairobi, Kenya is known for its charm and offers guests an unparalleled experience with the friendly giants.

Owned by couple Mikey and Tanya Carr-Hartley, both 41, who opened the hotel because of their shared love of the graceful creatures.

Scottish-born photographer Robin Moore, 37, joined the couple on a two-week safari where he was also lucky enough to stay at the unique hotel and capture its magic on camera.

He said: 'I stumbled upon Giraffe Manor online and I knew I had to go there, it sounded positively surreal.

'And it lived up to and surpassed all my expectations.


As well as swinging by for food, the nosey giants also have a reputation for poking their heads through the windows of the hotel to spy on guests

The hotel is owned by couple Mikey and Tanya Carr-Hartley, who opened it because of their shared love of the graceful creatures

'The feeling of coming down for breakfast to find Rothschild giraffes craning their neck in to greet you was just surreal.

'I had to keep reminding myself that this was really happening and I was here to witness it.

'I also got to learn the giraffes different personalities - the docile one, the cranky one, the gentle one.

'It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it made me see these magnificent creatures with new eyes.'

Mr and Mrs Carr-Hartley spent their childhood living close to the house in Nairobi and have both always been fascinated with the graceful giants.


The couple say they are overjoyed to be involved in protecting the endangered Rothschild giraffes

The giraffes are free to roam the entirety of the 140-acre estate as they please, and frequently mingle with guests

Mrs Carr-Hartley said: ‘Mikey and I grew up near to this manor house when we were children.

‘We are both third generation Kenyans who have always wanted to work in conservation.

‘Mikey’s family have been involved in the protection of animals for many generations.

‘His granddad was even involved in the relocation of giraffes as far back as the 1930s. Moving the giraffes ensured their protection and continued existence.

‘When the house came up for sale, we jumped at the chance to buy it as we had always dreamed of one day owning it.

‘We are now absolutely overjoyed to be involved with the protection of this very endangered species.


Guest Robin Moore, who took the photographs during his stay at the Kenyan hotel, said it was a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience to stay there

The conservation project at Giraffe Manor dates back to 1974, when two of the endangered giraffes first came to the estate

Giraffe Manor is home to eight Rothschild giraffes, which are some of the rarest on earth.

A conservation project to save them was started at the Manor in 1974 when the grandson of a Scottish earl, Jock Leslie Melville, and his American wife Betty bought the stately home.

Later that year, they moved two highly endangered Rothschild giraffes into the estate where third and fourth generations live on.

As well as the herd of giraffes, the manor plays host to a large family of warthogs, exotic birds and the elusive bush buck.

Do you mind? A cheeky giraffe at the Kenyan estate pops his head into a family snap

Guests feed the giraffes at breakfast, but can also get up close and personal with them from the second floor bedrooms.

Mrs Carr-Hartley added: ‘Every day at 9am, the herd like nothing better than to stroll over to the house and have a good morning stretch.

‘They have special pellets which are made for race horses, but are very nutritious, otherwise they snack on twigs and leaves around the grounds.

‘The giraffes bend all the way down to take treats from the front door entrance - they are very friendly.

‘But guests need to keep in mind giraffes are graceful, but very powerful animals so we ask them not to approach them when they are roaming the gardens.'

The Rothschild giraffes lost much of their natural habitat in western Kenya and faced extinction.

The ones at the site grow up to more than 16ft tall, weigh two tons and have a life expectancy of up to 30 years.


source:dailymail

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So where's the deep end, then? The moment unlikely guest Monduli the giraffe took a dip in club swimming pool

By Nick Enoch


Three-and-a-half-year-old Monduli is a regular sight at the Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate in Tanzania

When this unlikely guest took a dip in a club house swimming pool, he had no trouble keeping his head above the water... which is not surprising since he's a giraffe.

In fact, three-and-a-half-year-old Monduli is a regular sight at the Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate in Tanzania

The leggy swimmer is the only giraffe at the estate after being rescued as a baby by the anti-poaching unit of the Wildlife Department of the Tanzanian Government.


The leggy swimmer was rescued as a baby by the anti-poaching unit of the Wildlife Department


Would sir like a tall latte at the table? Monduli is well over 13ft tall (4m) and will reach 18ft when fully grown at around six years old

Zummi Cardoso, general manager at the estate, said Monduli was quite lonely as the only member of his species there

Workers at the estate said Monduli thinks he's a cross between a guest and a horse and is often up to mischief trying to play football, polo and taking a dip in the pool.

Monduli is well over 13ft tall (4m) and will reach 18ft when fully grown at around six years old.

Zummi Cardoso, general manager at the estate, said Monduli was quite lonely as the only member of his species there.

He said: 'He has been with us for about three years and we bottle and bucket-fed him milk for more than a year.


No ladder for him... Monduli gracefully leaps out of the pool after his dip

On bended knees, the giraffe does a spot of stretching after his exercise

'He is accompanied by lots of zebra, wildebeest and gazelles but he thinks he is a human being, hence the dip in the pool.

'Monduli sometimes joins in football games at the polo club and regularly scares visiting polo ponies. He loves to take part in any activities at the club and even if he's not welcome he cannot be easily dissuaded.'

Zummi said as well as being a lively character around the estate, Monduli also acted as a gardener.


Monduli investigates some of the vegetation but what's this behind him...?


A car! Zummi said: 'Monduli's also a bit of a pervert when it comes to cars. One or two seem to get his attention and he has attempted to mount those chosen ones'

Never mind the food, this giraffe has probably got his eyes on that pick-up in the background

He said: 'He regularly trims all the plants around the club when he has had enough of the ample acacias we have on the estate.

'He's also a bit of a pervert when it comes to cars. One or two seem to get his attention and he has attempted to mount those chosen ones.

'He got his leg caught between the bumper of our pick-up and dragged it for more than a metre to get dislodged.'

The Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate is located near the town of Usa River, approximately 30 minutes' drive from both Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport.

The estate provides spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru to the north and over the vastness of the Maasai Steppe to the south.


As well as being a lively character around the estate, Monduli also acts as a gardener. He's seen here with one of his friends


The estate provides spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru to the north and over the vastness of the Maasai Steppe to the south


Monduli also joins in football games and likes to scare polo ponies


source:dailymail

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Two lovestruck giraffes become parents for the first time (and labour wasn't a tall order for mum Geraldine who gave birth in just two hours!)

By Emily Allen


A mother's love: Baby George gets a tender lick and a gentle nuzzle from his proud mum at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol

Two love-struck giraffes have become parents for the first time.

After a 15-month pregnancy, George was born on Friday night at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol.

Proud mother Genevieve was in labour for just two hours and father Gerald watched as his son was born - just in time for Father's Day.


Standing proud: Pint-sized new addition George smiles for the camera at Noah's Ark Farm in Bristol

Gorgeous George: The baby giraffe sticks close to his mum

Lanky bachelor Gerald got together with Genevieve two years ago after a four-year international hunt for a mate.

He had previously befriended an inquisitive goat called Eddie who shared his field, before Genevieve arrived from Eastern Europe in 2010.

The 16ft male could not believe his luck and quickly became smitten with his new 12ft girlfriend, with the pair seen strolling around their field together, much to the delight of zoo visitors.

Tiddler: George has been feeding well since he was born this weekend following his parents two-year romance

Giraffe keeper Emma Green said: 'I’m thrilled to say that the happy family are doing very well.

'Little George seems very healthy and relaxed, and has been feeding well from mum Genny over the weekend.

'He has his mum’s markings, and seems to have inherited her good looks too.


Family snap: George's father Gerald the giraffe (left) and his mother Genevieve (right) fuss over the newborn at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Bristol

Lovestruck: Gerald and Genny are over the moon with their newborn who has his mother's markings

'We’re delighted for Gerald and Genny and look forward to watching George’s development over the coming months.'

Mother and baby will now be allowed their own space for a few months while George grows stronger.

They will be separated by a fence from Gerald, who will still be able to lean over to see and sniff his family each day.


source:dailymail

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He’s tall for a new born! Baby giraffe is latest attraction at Hampshire zoo

By Suzannah Hills



Keepers at a British zoo have welcomed their newest arrival and despite being just a few days old, this baby giraffe is already towering over them at six-foot tall.

The baby giraffe is the first to be born weighing an impressive 120kilos to Marwell Wildlife's resident giraffe Irsula after a 14-month pregnancy.

Both keepers and visitors to the Hampshire Zoo were lucky enough to witness the birth on Tuesday.

Marwell keeper Ian Goodwin revealed he hadn't even realised Irsula was expecting until she started to put on weight unexpectedly.

He said: 'Irsula came to us from another safari park in July last year and we hadn't been told she was pregnant.

'It was only when a few months later she appeared a bit more rotund that we had our suspicions and we started preparing for a youngster.

'The baby started to make an appearance at 10 o'clock in the morning.

'It's not very often that a baby will be born in the day and both the keepers and visitors were lucky enough to see it.

'We've seen giraffes born here before but every new arrival is just as exciting as the last.

'The birth lasted about three hours. This is the first for Irsula but everything went very well.'

It is not yet known whether the youngster is a girl or a boy as keepers are trying to keep their distance to give the baby a chance to bond with it's mother and the herd.

The baby giraffe tentatively takes his first few steps after only being born a few days ago at Marwell Wildlife

Mr Goodwin said: 'We're trying to keep things as natural as possible so we're not interfering.

'Both the baby and it's mum are doing very well and have joined the rest of the herd.'

The giraffe's are known as Rothchild's giraffe - named after zoologist Lord Walter Rothschild, founder of the National History Museum in Tring, Hertfordshire.

The species, native to Kenya and eastern Uganda, is identified by its broader dividing white lines and has no spots beneath the knees.


The Baby giraffe and its mother Irsula have joined other giraffes in an enclosure at the park in Hampshire

The animals are classed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

In the past, giraffes were hunted for their tails, which were used as good-luck charms, sewing thread and even fly swats.

The main threat to the species now is loss of habitat and poaching for meat and hides.



source:dailymail

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Is this really fun for all the family? The giraffe hunters who pay £10,000 to shoot the gentle giants with guns and bows for sport

By Pamela Owen


The gentle giants are tracked down and killed so tourists can take home pictures showing they have killed the animals

Tourist trophy hunters are paying thousands of pounds to go and shoot giraffes with high-powered guns and bows.

The gentle giants are loved around the world for their comical appearance and gentle nature.

Just like character 'Melman' played by Friend's-star David Schwimmer in Disney's Madagascar, they are a hit with kids who love their long necks and eyelashes.

But shocking images show how scores of big-spending men and women - and even families - travel from across the globe, some even from Britain, to kill them for sport.

Entire families go on the hunts and appear to relish having their pictures taken with the dead giraffe

Hunters pay up to a whopping £10,000 for the the chance to slay them - preferring bulls because they are the biggest.

Safari clubs and game reserves ask for a £1,500 trophy fee, and then add on rates for guides and trackers costing around £1,000 per day.

The hunts typically last three-to-five days and see tourists using .458 Winchester Magnum rifles to kill the animals.

With most hunters flying to Africa from their homes in Europe or America, the costs stretch into five figures.

The hunting continues even though numbers of the animals are plummeting.

But the world's leading giraffe expert said populations in the countries where it is legal - South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe - can cope with the killings.

The latest statistic show the number of giraffes in the world have nearly halved since 1988 from over 140,000 to less than 80,000.

Dr. Julian Fennessy produced the report for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Another recent IUCN report suggests the giraffe may already need to be listed as a threatened species - because some populations are being decimated in places like West Africa and DR Congo.

They are already thought to be extinct in Angola, Mali and Nigeria.


The animals are near extinction and are no longer found in countries like Nigeria, Mali and Angola

Tourist hunters often take the skin home or get taxidermists to mount the heads so they can be taken home as trophies

Dr. Fennessy also founded Giraffe Conservation Foundation - the only dedicated giraffe conservation group in the world.

He said: 'I'm not interested in hunting giraffe, but hunters obviously get a kick out of it like others enjoy a game of squash or cooking. It's a complicated argument. There are lots of factors.

'The loss of habitat and breaking up of populations by man-made constructions are the main factors threatening their numbers.

'In the countries where you can hunt legally, the populations are increasing but across Africa the overall numbers are dropping alarmingly.

'It shows that if properly managed with proper policy and controls, the hunting can be sustainable.'

In some African countries legal hunting can actually help local communities by bringing in money and making meat available to them.

'Many hunting staff like guides, trackers and skinners who assist the tourists are paid in meat from the kills,' added Dr. Fennessy.

'If the tourist has paid the fee for the trophy, the carcass is theirs. Some just like to have photo taken next to the dead giraffe, but others pay taxidermists to mount the head a neck so they can take them home as a souvenir.

'Or they might want to take the skin home.'


The hunts typically last three-to-five days and sees tourists using .458 Winchester Magnum rifles to kill the animals


It is legal to hunt the giraffes in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia - where they have greater numbers of giraffes

He added: 'Some hunters come from Britain but the big majority are from North America, Germany, Russia and Scandinavia.

'The worst part of trophy hunting is the fact that the hunters can miss their target and fail to kill the giraffe quickly.

'If they don't hit the right spot then it can lead to suffering for the animal.

'They might have a 'second gun' in the party whose job it is to take the animal down quickly if the tourist misses.

'But hunting guides need to asses the ability of the hunter and stop the hunt if they do not have the skills to do it humanely.'

Another factors decimating the giraffe population is poaching.

'Poaching is illegal and is not licensed,' said Dr. Fennessy.

'They set wire snares at giraffe-height in the trees to snare their necks, or to trap their feet and kill them when they return.

'It leads to huge suffering for the animals, sometimes for days.'

To help the Giraffe Conservation Foundation click here visit http://www.giraffeconservation.org/


source:dailymail

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Sophie the giraffe gets a pedicure: Zoo staff file down 'overgrown' hooves giving her a new 'spring in her step'

By NADIA GILANI

Long limbed: A sedated Sophie undergoing the operation to trim back her overgrown hooves on Tuesday

When Sophie arrived at her new home with overgrown hooves, she was in desperate need of a pedicure.

The 17-year-old giraffe would have ended up developing ankle problems were if not for staff at Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park giving her a spot of beauty treatment.

Long-legged Sophie had overgrown hooves when she was transferred was transferred from Dudley Zoo in the West Midlands to the adventure park near Stirling, last year.


Snip: Colin Scott, head vet at the park clips back Sophie's hooves using a giant pair of clippers

The average hoof of an adult giraffe is about the same size as a dinner plate and can reach 12 inches in diameter.

In the wild, giraffes gallop vast distances across hard soil, which wears down their hooves, but that is not always the case when they are living in captivity.

Staff waited to see whether Sophie's hooves would wear down naturally, but when they didn't it was decided a pedicure was the only way forward.


Head Vet Colin Scott is helped by a colleague who holds one of Sophie's long legs in place while another member of staff holds a huge 'nail file' nearby

She was sedated with tranqulisers and a team of vets and nurses lead by head vet, Colin Scott rolled up their sleeves for a hard working hour and a half to clip her hooves on Tuesday.

They used giant metal clippers and a huge 'nail' file to shape the hooves afterwards.
Park manager, Gary Gilmour said Sophie is recovering well and now has a 'spring in her step'.


Mr Scott puts his glasses on as he moves in to get a closer look during the operation

'She really is a great giraffe. She's a lot happier as she can run faster now and we're pleased to see she's got a spring back in her step'.

There are four giraffes living at the adventure park cared for by the park's head giraffe keeper Chris Lucas.

The park's other animals include rhinos, zebras, elephants and chimps.


source: dailymail

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Shows a baby giraffe (R) and her mother snuggling each other

This picture taken on August 21, 2011 shows a baby giraffe (R) and her mother snuggling each other over wire netting in their enclosure at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo. The baby giraffe was born on August 6 at the zoo.



This picture taken on August 21, 2011 shows a baby giraffe (C) drinking a bottle of milk in an enclosure at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo. The baby giraffe was born on August 6 at the zoo.



This picture taken on August 21, 2011 shows a baby giraffe running in her enclosure at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo. The baby giraffe was born on August 6 at the zoo.



This picture taken on August 21, 2011 shows a baby giraffe (C) standing next to her parents over wire netting in their enclosure at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo. The baby giraffe was born on August 6 at the zoo.



This picture taken on August 21, 2011 shows a baby giraffe (R) and her mother snuggling each other over wire netting in their enclosure at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo. The baby giraffe was born on August 6 at the zoo.



This picture taken on August 21, 2011 shows a baby giraffe (C) standing next to her parents over wire netting in their enclosure at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo. The baby giraffe was born on August 6 at the zoo.


source: daylife
photo: Getty images

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Rookie zookeeper quits after poisoning two giraffes, killing one

By Rachel Quigley


Poisoned: Watoto died after being fed toxic leaves from a rookie zookeeper who then quit in the wake of the male giraffe's death


A zoo official who was responsible for poisoning two giraffes, killing one, has resigned.

The unidentified apprentice at Reid Park Zoo, Tucson, accidentally mixed up the plants and gave the giraffes leaves from a deadly plant.

He was said to be 'horrified and devastated' by his mistake.

Poisoned: Female giraffe Denver was also fed the toxic leaves and is currently recovering

Scene: Reid Park Zoo in Tucson said they are putting things in place to ensure this does not happen again


Zoo officials told 9 On Your Side the apprentice accidentally mixed in the leaves of an Oleander plant with leaves from other plants and fed them to the giraffes.

Oleander can be deadly if eaten by animals.

Watoto, the zoo's only male giraffe, died July 19 after eating the toxic leaves.

The Oleander was put into two of the four giraffe stalls on Monday night.

Jim Schnormeier, the head curator at the zoo, said the next morning, Watoto acted very unusually.

He said: 'He was lethargic. He was laying down and very seldom do you see a giraffe lay down, his appetite wasn't there.

'Our philosophy is if you don't know what it is, you don't feed it. Our focus right now is trying to get our giraffe better after this crisis.'

Unscathed: The two other giraffes at Reid Park Zoo did not eat the toxic leaves and are doing fine


Zoo administrator Susan Basford said: 'We have apprentices here at the zoo and that person was not as experienced. It was mistake compounded by mistake and it's horrible.'

The apprentice was said to be part of a 12-month programme run by the zoological society and was due to run out in September.

Zoo officials said it was his own decision to resign but they did not tryu to talk him out of it.

They said he was studying to become a zoo keeper and is distraught about what happened.

Nancy Schlegel of the Zoological Society said: 'It's hard to see a young person having to go through that as well as the tragedy that all of us are feeling.'

The other giraffe, Denver, who ate the toxic leaves is said to be improving.



source:dailymail

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