European studbook for the giraffe eep

INTRODUCTION
Rotterdam, 6 April 2009
Never a dull moment with the EAZA Giraffe EEP. In 2008 we saw the results of the policy to
phase out hybrid giraffes: the number decreased by 11 (6%) from 200 to 189, while the total
number of giraffes increased from 525 to 554. Therefore the share of the hybrids decreased to
25% and the coming years a further and even more rapid decrease is expected as more and
more hyrids are removed from breeding conditions.
The population of Baringo giraffes increased again rapidly, the Reticulated and Kordofan
giraffe population grew a bit more modest. So all in all the year 2008 saw the first results of
all efforts done in the past years.
The end of 2008 marked also the era of this species committee and in the beginning of 2009
new species committee elections were held. The EEP Coordinator and Studbook keeper (i.e.
the undersigned) changed jobs again and EAZA decided, supported by the Giraffe &
Antelope TAG, to move the coordination of this EEP with the present coordinator to
Rotterdam Zoo.
The EAZA Giraffe EEP is on the right way and achieving the goals the previous species
committee had set itself half a decade ago. It can only be hoped that this development can be
continued and accelerated with the next, newly elected species committee.
The prospects for this are bright, as, despite the blue tongue, in 2008 over 100 giraffes were
transported. This year, 2009, seems to beat that again.
The Giraffe EEP again looks forward to a fruitful cooperation with all participants, in the
interest of the giraffes and all institutions involved.
Best regards,
Marc Damen
EAZA Giraffe EEP Coordinator
Director / CEO, Rotterdam Zoo
The Netherlands
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