The GiRaft: A Real-Life Giraffe Rescue

When eight rare Nubian giraffes are stranded due to floodwaters, wildlife rescuers create a flotational craft to ferry the giraffes to a new home.

Poor Asiwa—time is running out! She and seven other rare Nubian giraffes have peacefully lived on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Baringo in Kenya. But now relentless rain and rising floodwaters have turned their home into an island. Food is running out. It's especially desperate for Asiwa as the water has stranded her away from the other giraffes. She is alone and frightened. If the giraffes aren't rescued, this endangered breed will be one step closer to extinction.

But how does one transport an almost 20-foot-tall wild animal? With a GiRaft, of course! An alliance of wildlife rangers, conservancies, and local community members work to create a flotational craft specifically to ferry the giraffes to a new home. Will Asiwa and her herd get on board?

Written by noted conservationist Laurel Neme, the extraordinary rescue of Asiwa and her herd of Nubian giraffes comes to life. Back matter shares more about Asiwa, as well as fun giraffe facts.

Published by Sleeping Bear Press

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What people are saying about THE GIRAFT:

“A suspenseful and heartwarming true rescue story to captivate readers and budding conservationists.”

School Library Journal

“From environmental journalist and animal advocate Neme comes another inspiring true story of wildlife conservation.”

 —School Library Journal

"Paganelli’s luminous watercolor illustrations capture the urgency of the rescue and the beauty of the Kenyan landscape."

 —School Library Journal

Asiwa, a Rothschild's (Nubian) giraffe who has become stranded on Longicharo Island, a rocky lava pinnacle, inside Lake Baringo in western Kenya, is moved off the flooded island by a barge December 2, 2020.  Rising lake levels have cut the peninsula into an island, trapping 8 giraffes. The local community is working with conservation organizations to keep them alive. She was moved on the barge for 1.1. miles to the 4,400-acre fences sanctuary within the 44,000 acre Ruko Conservancy.  Asiwa was isolated on a far part of the island. Today, fewer than 3,000 Rothschild's giraffes are left in Africa, with about 800 in Kenya.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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1 giraffe running

Giraffe rescue, all photos courtesy of Save Our Giraffes