for twice-a-day feeds beneath gao trees and a
three-hour nap for the crew, we finally arrive at
Gadabedji, where we’re greeted by the Tuareg
mayor in a bright red robe and turban. It’s a
sandy landscape, with little grass or brush. Chil-
dren run out to meet our caravan, raising their
arms and jumping for joy. They have heard for
months that we are coming.
“This is perfect country for a giraffe,” Morkel
tells me, smiling. The heads peeking over the
side of the shipping container look around at the
clear expanse and pockets of edible acacias. Yes,
this is indeed good giraffe country.
As Tuareg guards stand by with AK-47s, the
gates of the shipping container are opened.
Under a blazing sun, a daytime moon, and a sky
of wispy cirrus clouds, the giraffes have arrived
at their new home. This is just the first cohort
of the founding population. There are plans for
more animals to join them next year. And the
year after, possibly more.
After two minutes the first giraffe pokes her
head forward and cautiously trots out. She is
soon followed by the others. They stop to watch
the humans watching them. A breeze blows by,
and the four turn and wander off slowly, march-
ing toward a stand of acacias at the horizon.
They move single file, looking back now and
again as if unsure what they’re supposed to do
next, until they are out of sight. jAuthor Joshua Foer wrote about Hawaii’s lava
tubes in the June 2017 issue. Ami Vitale photo-
graphed orphaned elephants and their Kenyan
protectors for the August 2017 issue.GIRAFFES 113