Niger - day three morning - West African Giraffe

Early Thursday morning (10 Nov 2011), we left Niamey in search of giraffes.

Following a paved east – west highway out of the capital city, we traveled about 60 kilometers east toward the distant Agadez region of Niger.

The West African Giraffe – a distinctive species known for its light - colored spots – once thrived across the Sahel from Senegal to Chad.  Severe drought and constant human destruction contributed to shrinking herds.  Now, through conservation efforts in Niger, the last self-sustaining herd is healthy again and growing in numbers.