Project Blog

Andy made a school boy error this morning, electing to have the first massage (on a make shift bed set up on JPs dining room table) he misses the morning’s breakfast!  But consoled himself that the masseuse’s fingers and hands were at least fresher and stronger than when Julian and HO followed over the next couple of hours.  Though the idea of bacon and eggs tormented him for the rest of the day!

Photos were downloaded, reviewed and discussed, and a debrief conducted, before we set off for a personal visit to the government building and the ministerial office of M. Issouf Baco.  We are welcomed around his conference table and Philippe conducts a detailed overview of the week’s activities before the Minister presents each of the team with a wonderful 15 inch brass giraffe on behalf of the Niger government for our invaluable help safeguarding the countries treasured remaining giraffe population.   A delightful gesture and one we were extremely honoured to receive.    

Reason enough to race back to JP’s and immerse ourselves, with beers in hand, in the garden’s Jacuzzi.  I don’t think there’s anyone that could deny us this luxury, which if nothing else helped soak out some of the numerous needle like thorns which our legs were covered in!  Well that’s our justification and we’re sticking to it.   

We then race off for one last dinner with the President of ASGN, Khalid Ikhiri, and of course the ever smiling Omer Dovi.  Before making our goodbyes and three of us, Julian, HO and Andy, head off for our flight back to a cold, wintry Paris and beyond...

PS.  At the time of writing up this Blog, we are anxiously watching and waiting for news from Niger following the military coup d’état that took place the Thursday after we left.   

Our sincere best wishes and thoughts are extended to JP, his family and all of our other new friends in Niger and naturally also to the giraffe, in the hope that everything will be peaceably resolved and the essential study of these rare and beautiful animals can continue, supported by future governments, for the benefit of future generations both within and outside of Niger.