National Geographic UK - 10.2019

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. j

Author 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.

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