In the remote wilderness of northern Cameroon’s Faro National Park, a quiet but urgent battle is underway—to save one of the world’s most endangered giraffe subspecies, the Kordofan giraffe. Recent wildlife monitoring and field research have confirmed that fewer than 30 individuals remain in the region, making it one of the most threatened giraffe populations on the planet.

The discovery is part of a larger conservation effort led by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in partnership with Cameroon’s Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, as well as community members and international conservation experts. The project marks the first time Faro National Park has hosted a dedicated wildlife monitoring and patrol program aimed at understanding and protecting this critically endangered species.

Using innovative field methods such as camera traps, drone surveillance, and ranger-led ground patrols, conservationists have documented not only the size and health of the Kordofan giraffe population but also the mounting threats they face. Habitat encroachment, poaching, and lack of coordinated conservation infrastructure have placed immense pressure on these animals.

The project has successfully trained and deployed eco-guards from surrounding communities, offering them employment and conservation training while empowering local populations to become stewards of their natural heritage. These eco-guards now serve on the frontlines of biodiversity protection, helping to detect illegal activity and monitor animal movements across the park.

Education campaigns have also been launched in nearby villages to raise awareness of the giraffes' importance and the broader environmental value of protecting biodiversity. In areas where previous human-wildlife conflict had created tension, these programs are now helping to foster cooperation between communities and conservation groups.

At the heart of the project is a commitment to long-term protection—not just for giraffes, but for the entire ecosystem of Faro National Park. By collecting baseline data and engaging local leadership, the initiative aims to build a sustainable conservation model that could be replicated across similar landscapes in Central and West Africa.

The Kordofan giraffe, once roaming widely across Central Africa, has seen its numbers plummet by more than 80 percent in the last few decades. Today, Cameroon is home to one of its last remaining strongholds. What happens in Faro over the next few years will likely determine the subspecies' fate.

While the road ahead remains uncertain, the combination of science, community involvement, and political will is providing a rare but powerful lifeline. Conservationists agree that with sustained support, the Kordofan giraffe can still be saved—and Faro National Park can stand as a symbol of Africa’s ability to protect its natural treasures through grassroots action and regional cooperation.

The Story is from: African Wildlife Foundation

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Cameroon’s Kordofan Giraffes Face Extinction Threat, But Conservation Brings Hope