An Adventure with Giraffes
Story by Eden Washington, a 6th grade FNN Reporter at Friendship PCS Online. Photos by Google.
May 6, 2021. I can’t imagine being in Africa and not seeing giraffes. In many ways, they are as regal as cats and gentle as elephants, but they are also vulnerable to extinction which makes them an endangered species. At the Giraffe Centre, a wildlife conservation park in Nairobi, Kenya, located in Lang’ata, approximately 20 kilometers (12 mi) from the city centre of Nairobi, Kenya, I saw firsthand how and why the Rothschild Giraffe, in particular, was one of the most endangered species. I was heartbroken to learn that yet again the biggest threat to these gentle giants were humans and their ever-increasing need to expand and develop in the habitat of the giraffes. Hunting them for sport and their meat, skull and bone marrow is believed to have medicinal properties to cure AIDS. I am happy to do my part in helping to save the giraffes by visiting this conservation center. A percentage of the proceeds from anyone who stays in one of these quaint rooms at the manor contributes to preserving the species. Conservationists are doing their part as well to stop the extinction of these animals by trapping poaching snares and transporting giraffes across the Nile River by ferry away from oil drilling in Uganda. Besides learning about the giraffes and their plight, there are plenty of fun things to do here as well.
Some of us are used to waking up because of the noise of a sibling, busy city streets, or the smell of breakfast, but here you can expect a more unique awakening experience. These gentle giants will peek their heads in your room or pose outside your window and watch you expressively. I wonder what they are thinking. If they are anything like me I’m hungry and ready for breakfast. Much to my surprise so are a few of my tall friends and they’ve beat me to the breakfast table. They are large gracious creatures and I’m having a ball feeding them some of their favorites.
The Manor was constructed in 1932 and is situated on a 150-acre estate. The sprawling land leaves plenty of room for my tall friends to roam. Outside of the Manor is a beautiful garden with a giraffe effigy and a greenhouse. Hiking trails are abundant and a taxi is available to go into the city if necessary. Riding into the city you can see just how close it is to the Giraffe Center to know why it is crucial that these animals maintain their habitat.
If we all do our part, these animals will have a chance to increase their population which will be as much fun for us as it is for them.
Eden Washington is a 6th grade scholar at Friendship Public Charter School Online.