Project Blog

Our teams split up this morning and agree to rendezvous at 0815; we need to find suitable giraffe while it still cool enough to collar.  We come across a number of ideal candidates as well as seeing a couple of the collars sitting perfectly, and the animals conducting life as normal. 

HO takes aim and there’s yet another twist; the giraffe drops almost instantaneously.  No need for a chase or roping instead we race to her and antidote immediately.  The needle must have hit a vein.  HO remains as cool and in control as ever and we are able to fit the collar with relative ease.  But everyone breaths an especially deep sigh of relief as we see her regain her feet.  Quite extraordinary to see her drop so suddenly but testament to having such an experienced vet onboard that all went perfectly. 

Two to go and it is only 0845.  Time though to witness two bulls necking, and to hear the gunshot-like thuds from over a kilometre away as they joust for dominance.  JP has witnessed 3 male deaths in the last couple of years as a result of this sparring, and with the abundance of females and numerous calves the pickings are evidently worth these fierce contests.    

We then manage to find and bring down another individual before the heat of the day increases.  One to go!

Returning to camp to rest during the furnace-like heat of the day, following the premature optimism of earlier this week, no one discusses the possibility of completing our goal during this evening session.  Though with the prospect of another evening meal of chunks of goat ligaments I’m pretty sure the idea wasn’t far from many of the team’s minds!   But complete it we do, as we successfully bring down our last female, attach the final collar, and watch with the never diminishing relief as she regained her feet and ran a few meters before looking back at us bemusedly.  Fantastic, and a great job well done. 

After much hand shaking and self congratulations we head for camp.  En route we come across a large group of giraffe intent on crossing a relatively busy, but seemingly void of any speed limit,  tarmac road that runs through the region.  A timely reminder of the giraffe’s close proximity to man and the dangers with which this fragile population co-exists. 

Time also for the essential team photo.  Though many of the personalities changed several times during the week, the key players were there to the end, and an especially big thanks to Kimba and Kaloo. 

Tents and bags packed in record time, we head off for Niamey in the dark; an adventure in itself.  Our priority (or Andy’s at least!) was a quick change of blood stained clothing, we can shower later, and straight to a restaurant for cold beer, pizza (not goat!) and chips – nectar!