Giraffe translocation in KZN strengthens herd and tourism

Catching giraffes to move them safely from one reserve to another is no easy task, says conservationistDereck Milburn. The director of theWildlife Emergency Fund(WEF) was reflecting on the recent translocation of eight giraffes fromPongola Game Reserveto theSomkhanda Community Game Reservein northern KwaZulu-Natal. “It’s taken a lot of people collaborating to make this project possible,” he said.

“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 clear-cut, he said.

“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.” Somkhanda, a 12 000 hectare Big Five reserve, is community-owned and managed by The Protected Area Management Company (PAMCo). Established in 2005 through a landmark land restitution process, it is held by the Emvokweni Community Trust on behalf of the Gumbi community.

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Meiring Prinsloo, the manager of the Somkhanda Game Reserve, said the operation was carried out by an experienced team, including a wildlife veterinarian, a specialised helicopter pilot and licensed capture professionals. “All procedures followed best-practice guidelines, with a strong focus on animal welfare, careful sedation, monitoring and safe transport. While there are always inherent risks, these were significantly reduced through experience and adherence to proven standards.” The new arrivals represent a significant step for the reserve.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to see another group of giraffes arriving,” he said. “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.” He said the translocation improved breeding success, enhanced population viability and would be monitored through integration, calf recruitment and overall herd performance. Prinsloo also noted the broader benefits for the Gumbi community. “Giraffe are an iconic species that strengthen Somkhanda’s tourism offering, contributing to revenue generation and the long-term sustainability of the reserve as a community asset.

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