Giraffe Kisses

Trip Start Sep 17, 2007
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Trip End Oct 08, 2008


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Flag of Kenya  ,
Saturday, July 26, 2008

Our one goal for sightseeing in Nairobi was the Langata Giraffe Center.  So, technically, it's not even in Nairobi.  We wandered (purposefully) for a few blocks before finding a bus going our way.  It was actually quite simple, simpler than finding a matatu, which LP seems to think is the easier option.  Then we went into the middle of nowhere and were looking for the "Hardy Shops" as the sign to get off the bus.  For a little while we sat across from a white clapboard building with "SUPERMARKET" written in big, black letters on it.  There were some shops in front of us, across the T intersection.  As the bus started moving again I saw a sign that said we were in the jurisdiction of the Hardy police.  The conductor laughed and said that we were supposed to get off and walk straight back down the road. 

The Giraffe Center was originally built as a haven for the severely endangered Rosthchild's Giraffes at home in the Giraffe Center
at home in the Giraffe Center
 .  In Kenya there are 300, all of which have been released in Nakuru National Park, and the man we were speaking to estimated that there were probably 500 in the whole world.  (Don't worry, though, at the moment ALL giraffes are not engangered - three sub-species of nine are - although this is still not good.)  The fun thing about the Giraffe Center is that while you're learning, you get to play with the giraffes as well.

I know you want some giraffe fabulous factoids.  My favorite?  A giraffe heart weighs 11 kilos and measures about 2 ft x1 ft.  That's big.  I really can't get over it.  Giraffes also have amazing eyesight: they can see at a range of greater than 250 degrees and that for a mile.  This, we learned, is why the warthogs like to hang around them - warthogs can't see the danger nearly as well.  There were several warthogs that had taken up residence as uninvited guests at the center, but they do no harm, so no one minds them.  And they can be entertaining to watch, kneeling down on their front legs and chasing each other around.  Rosthchild's giraffes are identified by their white stockings - all other giraffes have spots all the way down to their hooves.  They also have dark brown patches inside the light brown ones, giving them very distinctive spots.  Oh, and they're really tall.  Like, up to five meters.  Giraffes also really like acacia leaves (you know - that iconic African savanna tree), but acacia have prickles, so to defend against infection from mouth cuts giraffes have antiseptic saliva examining new arrivals
examining new arrivals
 .  Cool. 

First I got to feed the elephant, which was a very strange experience.  When you're up close like that you can really see how tall these critters are, and that neck swooped waaaaaaaaaay down to get the treats in my hand.  Also, the head was about as big as my torso.  The giraffe I was feeding wasn't full grown at 16 years of age.  The oldest giraffe was 17 and really like to head-butt people unless they gave her food.  As I was leaning over the railing to see a baby I got a little knock.  The babies were so little for giraffes, but so big for baby animals.  Kind of like elephants.  But they were really cute, and so I gave them some food, too.  With the big giraffe we could do all kinds of special stuff.  Other than cuddling up to them and wrapping your arm around their necks, you can get a giraffe kiss.  The guide showed us how to put a treat in our mouths and then hold it out for the giraffe to nibble.  I ended up with a big, slobbery giraffe kiss and a big, slobbery smile.  So did Travis.  It was a really awesome time.

Mission accomplished for Nairobi - now for the rest of Kenya...

Erin
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