Luangwa Thornicroft's Giraffe Project

Project name: The missing link - understanding Zambia's endemic Thornicroft's giraffe

The Thornicroft's Giraffe Project is the first in-depth scientific research of the Thornicroft's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti) since the late 1970s. Specifically, the project aims to assess its status, distribution, conservation health and genetic architecture with the aim of improving our understanding of this biologically important species. Field sampling and surveying of the giraffe will include driven and walking transects, as well as undertaking biopsy samples for genetic analysis.

There is currently no baseline estimate of population numbers for the Thornicroft's giraffe and as such the real conservation status of this endemic giraffe subspecies is unknown (i.e. whether it is stable, increasing or decreasing). The results of this study will provide a baseline estimate of the current population size of Thornicroft's giraffe.

The knowledge obtained from this research will be incorporated into the long-term wildlife monitoring programmes of the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and non-government organisations such as the South Luangwa Conservation Society (SLCS) with the aim of better enabling sustainable management of wildlife populations in partnership with local stakeholders. The protocol developed to census this population and produce the population estimate will hopefully be used to census other giraffe populations across Africa.

Important training of ZAWA and local community game guards in field census and monitoring programmes is a key element of the project to help better understand the historical and current status and range of the Thornicroft's giraffe. In both field visits, training of local staff and interested parties are a key element of the project with the intention of creating a long-term project following the first year of work.

Background
The Thornicroft's giraffe is a morphologically distinct population of giraffe endemic to the Luangwa Valley in Zambia. The population is biologically isolated from other giraffe and as such is ecologically and potentially genetically unique. With recent genetic studies showing that groups of giraffes across Africa are reproductively isolated from each other and potentially distinct species, the endemic Thornicroft's giraffe may prove to be a unique species which would further highlight the need for increased conservation and management of its unique genetic heritage. As an iconic symbol of Zambia, the Thornicroft's giraffe is an important tourism drawcard for visitors to the country and thus an economic asset for Zambia.

Despite its prominence, limited monitoring and research has been undertaken on the endemic Thornicroft's giraffes with the last study published in 1978. The Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and International Giraffe Working Group (IGWG) have both identified that the Thornicroft's giraffe as of high conservation priority. 

Methodology
The investigations intend to provide an overview of the giraffe populations in each of the project areas, their social structure and dynamics.

The overall aim of the project is to establish methods (walking and driven transects) and undertake baseline censusing of the Thornicroft's giraffe population to provide a basis for which long-term monitoring and analyses can be undertaken by ZAWA staff in collaboration with partners such as the IGWG, SLCS and others. Genetic sampling of a subset of the population will be undertaken, using remote biopsy sampling, to assess population genetic structure and species status of the Thornicroft's giraffe population.

The information obtained from the aims of this project will be combined and implemented at a practical management level, with the aim of better enabling sustainable management of wildlife populations in partnership with the relevant stakeholders. 

Schedule 2008-9
1. Preparation for the project and initial expedition, collaboratively developed with ZAWA and SLCS (already ongoing)
2. Initial expedition - Genetic and population census
3. Analysis of genetic samples and census data, report writing and publishing, and planning next phase of the project
4. Preparation for the next expedition, collaboratively developed with ZAWA and SLCS
5. Second expedition - focus on population census and training
6. Analysis of population census data, report writing and planning next phase of the project
7. Feedback of next stage management and conservation objectives to ZAWA and partners with regards to the giraffe population

The first expedition - genetic and population census - took place in July 2008 which is the peak period for giraffe to congregate in preferred habitats. The second expedition is proposed for early 2009 following the analysis and reporting from the first. Long-term, the programme intends to develop this project into a key collaborative project between IGWG, ZAWA, WCS, SLCS and other interested partners, and further long-term funding/support will be sought following this initial project.

Wilderness Safaris Trust funding has enabled a number of the key elements to be supported for this project and its ongoing management e.g. support for flights, food, accommodation and equipment.