Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi)^[2] is one of the most endangered giraffe subspecies with only a few hundred members in the wild.^[3] It is named after the famous family of the Tring Museum's founder, Lord Walter Rothschild,^[4] and is also known as the Baringo giraffe, after the Lake Baringo area of Kenya,^[5] or as the Ugandan giraffe. All of those that are living in the wild are in protected areas in Kenya and Uganda.^[3] In 2007, it was proposed that Rothschild's giraffe is actually a separate species from other giraffe and not a giraffe subspecies.^[3]

While giraffe in general are classified as Least Concern, Rothschild's giraffe is at particular risk of hybridisation, as the population is so limited in numbers. There are very few locations where Rothschild's giraffe can be seen in the wild, with notable spots being Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya^[6] and Murchison Falls National Park^[7] in northern Uganda.

Rothschild's giraffe in Paignton Zoo in England

There are various captive breeding programmes in place— notably at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, Kenya—which aim to expand the gene pool in the wild population of Rothschild's giraffe. As of January 2011^[update], more than 450 are kept in ISIS registered zoos (which does not include the Nairobi Giraffe Centre), making it the most commonly kept subspecies of giraffe together with the reticulated giraffe.^[8] Of those, almost 50 are the result of births within the last year.^[when?][8]

Rothschild's giraffe is easily distinguishable from other subspecies. The most obvious sign is in the colouring of the coat, or pelt. Where the reticulated giraffe has very clearly defined dark patches with bright whitish channels between them, Rothschild's giraffe more closely resembles the Masai giraffe. However, when compared to the Masai Giraffe, Rothschild's subspecies is paler, the orange-brown patches are less jagged and sharp in shape and the connective channel is of a creamier hue compared to that seen on the reticulated giraffe. In addition, Rothschild's giraffe displays no markings on the lower leg, giving the impression that it is wearing white stockings.^[4]

Another distinguishing feature of Rothschild's giraffe, although harder to spot, is the number of ossicones on the head. This is the only subspecies to be born with five ossicones. Two of these are the larger and more obvious ossicones at the top of the head, which are common to all giraffe. The third ossicone can often be seen in the center of the giraffe's forehead and the other two are behind each ear.^{[citation needed]} They are also taller than many other subspecies, measuring up to six metres tall (20 ft).^[4]

Rothschild's giraffe mate at any time of the year and have a gestation period of 14 to 16 months, typically giving birth to a single calf. They live in small herds, with males and females (and their calves) living separately, only mixing for mating.^{[citation needed]}

Males are larger than females and their two largest ossicones are usually bald from sparring. They usually tend to be darker in colour than the females, although this is not a guaranteed sexing indicator.

References