The World’s Last White Giraffe Is Under 24/7 Surveillance to Protect It From Poachers
In Kenya’s Garissa County, a single male giraffe now carries the distinction of being the only known white giraffe alive. His pale appearance isn’t due to albinism but to a rare genetic condition called leucism, which affects pigment in the skin but not the eyes.
Earlier in 2020, his mother and her young calf were found lifeless after a poaching incident, which left him alone. To reduce the risk of further loss, conservationists installed a solar-powered device on one of his horns.
The Loss of His Family
In March 2020, rangers discovered the skeletal remains of a white female giraffe and her seven-month-old calf in Garissa County, northeast Kenya. The lives of these two had been taken by poachers, and the surviving male was their direct descendant. All three had lived within the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, an area known for its conservation efforts.
The discovery of the two carcasses marked the end of the world’s only known white giraffe family. These giraffes had received global attention and even appeared in news reports and nature documentaries. Their unusual coloring made them highly recognizable—and extremely vulnerable.
A GPS Tracker Now Sends Hourly Updates
Professionals then fitted the lone male giraffe with a GPS tracker on November 8, 2020. The device, powered by solar energy, was attached to one of his ossicones, the horn-like protrusions on his head. Rangers now receive real-time updates on his movement, which allows them to respond quickly if he enters unfamiliar or high-risk territory.
The technology offers the ease of monitoring and also acts as a deterrent. Knowing the giraffe’s movements makes it harder for people to target him unnoticed. The tracker provides coverage across his entire grazing range. His location is now constantly mapped by teams keeping an eye on his activity.
This surveillance system is one part of broader preservation efforts supported by several organizations. The Kenya Wildlife Service, Northern Rangelands Trust, and Save Giraffes Now all contributed to the project. Their goal is to reduce the risk of another poaching incident while also gathering data for future protection planning.
His Death Would Impact the Local Economy
Image via iStockphoto/Dragos Condrea
Before the poaching incident, the white giraffe family had become a significant draw for eco-tourism. Tourists traveled to Garissa County to see the rare animals firsthand. This interest helped bring income to the surrounding community, which had worked closely with conservation groups.
Visitors came from different countries, guided through the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy by local teams. The giraffes had also been featured by major global news outlets and wildlife platforms. Their visibility helped raise awareness about poaching and conservation in Kenya.
The loss of two members of the group not only ended a unique wildlife story but also further damaged the local economy. Tourism numbers dropped, and the momentum behind wildlife protection work slowed.
According to statements by Mohammed Ahmednoor, the conservancy’s manager, the community saw the incident as a setback as it disrupted years of progress. That context helps explain why protecting the remaining male giraffe isn’t only about species survival, but also supports livelihoods in an area that depends on responsible wildlife tourism.