Page 23 - May-June-July Life In Naples Magazine

when he would be asked to walk into the real transport trailer.
Wonderfully, zoological facilities have a network of professional

transporters we use and each has their specialty – including some
that move the world’s tallest animal. Besides custom equipment,
knowledge of the species is key. And when it comes to moving a
giraffe that must include patience – sometimes all-day patience.
Gratefully, not much was needed with Jigsaw. With his keepers
nearby and encouraging him, he looked over the trailer and gave
some careful sniffs. In an hour, he casually walked inside and turned
around and nibbled some leaves.

“As his care takers for the past few years, we were sad to say
goodbye to Jigsaw. Yet moves like this are reminders of how we
contribute to the broader mission of ensuring that giraffes are
around for our grandchildren to appreciate,” said Naples Zoo’s
Director of Animal Programs Liz Harmon. Yet even as keepers
teared up, our six other giraffe moved normally about their daily
business – a gentle reminder of the differences between our two
worlds.

There are also two worlds between living here and in the wild.
While Jigsaw lives in peace, his giraffe relatives in Africa have
suffered greatly. Although we adore these gentle giants, they face
indirect threats from pastoralists degrading habitat and introducing
new diseases. Agriculture fragments and outright eliminates the
places they live. For perspective, the number of Jigsaw’s reticulated
giraffe cousins plummeted from about 30,000 to as few as 5,000 in
just over a decade.

And direct threats are even more heartbreaking. The giraffe
population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has violently
crashed to between 30 and 40 individuals at the gun points of
Joseph Kony’s LRA rebels whose AK-47s and machetes reduce
these majestic creatures into common dinner meat.

The free fall in wild populations makes it critically important
to have protected populations in accredited zoos. In concert with
breeding programs, zoos are ideally suited to powerfully share the
challenges facing this beloved species with millions of people and
provide proven ways for caring people to make a difference for the
giraffes in both worlds.

To realize ways in which people and giraffes can coexist in
nature, Naples Zoo supports the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
These funds assist efforts like their Executive Director Dr. Julian
Fennessy’s recent Congo visit to orchestrate a plan for saving these
few survivors. (You can see Dr. Fennessy with our giraffe talking
about these issues in a video at www.napleszoo.org/giraffe.)

As he pulled away through the gate, Jigsaw would enjoy a
smooth ride on this special day. And by the evening, staff at his
new home gave word that he was already nuzzling with the females
in his new herd. At sunrise, Jigsaw would see his new home in the
light of day while we envisioned a future day where all giraffe can
still stand tall.

Far from the simple menageries of past, today’s nationally accredited zoos are
centers of learning and natural crossroads for biologists, educators, environmental
scientists, and researchers - as well as for students, conservationists, and all animal
lovers. Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a trusted, private 501(c)(3) nonprofit
serving wildlife and families here and around the world. To learn more about
how you can help giraffes, email Naples Zoo’s Director of Conservation at tim@

napleszoo.org.