Rothschild's giraffe (now Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis, a Northern giraffe subspecies), Lake Nakuru NP, Kenya, East Africa.

Rothschild's giraffe (DNA-reclassified as Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis, a Northern giraffe subspecies) in Lake Nakuru National Park, near Nakuru city, Kenya, East Africa. For protection, Rothschild's giraffe were relocated here from western Kenya beginning in 1977. Rothschild's giraffe (formerly Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) has been DNA-classified as a subspecies of Northern giraffe (one of four distinct species) and is genetically identical to the Nubian giraffe subspecies (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis). Rothschild's giraffe resembles the Masai giraffe but is paler, with less-jagged orange-brown patches, a creamier hue for the connective channels, and white lower legs lacking markings (making them appear to wear white stockings). They also have five ossicones (the two big noticeable head protuberances, plus one in the center forehead, plus 2 behind each ear). They are taller than many other populations, measuring up to 5.88 metres (19.3 feet) tall. Lake Nakuru National Park was established in 1961. UNESCO honors Lake Nakuru on the World Heritage List, as part of the "Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley." A fenced sanctuary protects giraffes and eastern black and southern white rhinos from poachers. Natural predators within the park include lions, cheetahs and leopards. Nakuru means "Dust or Dusty Place" in the Maasai language.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: 24.02AFR-4363.jpg
Copyright: © Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
Image Size: 5472x3648 / 9.5MB; http://www.photoseek.com/; Animalia Mammalia animal mammals nature vertebrate wildlife
Contained in galleries: KENYA safari, 2024 Feb AFRICA: TANZANIA, KENYA, VICTORIA FALLS

Rothschild's giraffe (DNA-reclassified as Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis, a Northern giraffe subspecies) in Lake Nakuru National Park, near Nakuru city, Kenya, East Africa. For protection, Rothschild's giraffe were relocated here from western Kenya beginning in 1977. Rothschild's giraffe (formerly Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) has been DNA-classified as a subspecies of Northern giraffe (one of four distinct species) and is genetically identical to the Nubian giraffe subspecies (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis). Rothschild's giraffe resembles the Masai giraffe but is paler, with less-jagged orange-brown patches, a creamier hue for the connective channels, and white lower legs lacking markings (making them appear to wear white stockings). They also have five ossicones (the two big noticeable head protuberances, plus one in the center forehead, plus 2 behind each ear). They are taller than many other populations, measuring up to 5.88 metres (19.3 feet) tall. Lake Nakuru National Park was established in 1961. UNESCO honors Lake Nakuru on the World Heritage List, as part of the "Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley." A fenced sanctuary protects giraffes and eastern black and southern white rhinos from poachers. Natural predators within the park include lions, cheetahs and leopards. Nakuru means "Dust or Dusty Place" in the Maasai language.