Northern Botswana Giraffe Population Study

Project Notes
The project seeks to better understand the genetic architecture of the giraffe population throughout northern and central Botswana to help resolve their taxonomic status, as well as their importance as a significant subspecies in the context of other giraffe populations southern Africa, and Africa as a whole. 

Background
The taxonomic classification of Botswana's giraffe is currently unknown, listed as either Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa (Cape or Southern giraffe) or G.c. angolensis (Angolan giraffe) - depending on which taxonomic reference one uses. Their classification has been based on the distinct geographic region in which they reside, and as such the limited capacity of other populations to migrate to or from this region, as well as their distinctive pelage (spot) pattern. 

Although numbers of Botswana's giraffe are assumed to be stable - approximately 11 000 individuals reported in 1998 and again in 2004 - there has been no targeted effort or accurate estimate of the population. The limited surveys, coupled with sketchy information, indicate that the population still resides mostly in and around protected areas. Recent genetic research further highlight that many of the historically classified (sub)species of giraffe are genetically distinct at a species level. 

This project would help to fill this gap as Namibian giraffe have recently been categorised as distinct to those in South Africa, as are Angolan giraffe (G.c. angolensis). The Southern or Cape giraffe (G.c. giraffa) of South Africa presents the third regional giraffe population, along with the Thornicroft's giraffe (G.c. thornicrofti) found in Zambia. The genetic studies undertaken during this research will thus seek to better understand the genetic architecture of the giraffe population in Botswana to help resolve their taxonomic status as a significant subspecies. And the question is begged: is this a distinct fourth regional giraffe population? Thus the researchers will investigate the possible genetic variation of the giraffe in Botswana compared with other extant giraffe populations - in particular in Southern Africa.

Importantly, the outcomes of this project will hopefully spill over to government and non-government bodies' alike better understanding their numbers, status and therefore better conservation management outcomes for the population. 

Project Details

The primary objective of this project includes collecting tissue samples (genetic material) from various populations in northern and central Botswana - Chobe, Linyanti, Moremi, Nxai Pans and Central Kalahari Game Reserve. These samples will be analysed in a laboratory to assess possible genetic variation of the Botswana giraffe compared with other giraffe populations in Africa.

The project intends to have an intensive field research component (three weeks) in northern and central Botswana working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders including Elephants Without Borders, African Wildlife Foundation and Wilderness Safaris Botswana, as well the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Additionally, training of partner staff in genetic field collation is a key component of the project. All data collated will be shared with the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks and inputted into the Africa-wide IGWG Giraffe Database (GiD) for reporting of the species status on a continental scale.