Hope rises on very long legs as scientists open a world-first giraffe research facility in the Free State!
Free State, South Africa (03 November 2025) – The University of the Free State (UFS) has officially launched the world’s first dedicated Giraffe Research Facility at Amanzi Private Game Reserve near Bloemfontein!
The facility, a project that has been years in the making, aims to protect and understand giraffes at a critical time when populations are shrinking.
“Giraffe are facing a dark future on the continent. They’re going extinct. Twenty years ago, we still had giraffe in 22 countries. Now it’s less than 15 countries. So, for us, it’s a huge concern,” says Prof Francois Deacon, lead researcher and long-time champion of giraffe conservation.
Thankfully, now there is more hope.
The new centre is developed with support from Save the Giraffes, Absolute Genetics, and the Kroonstad Animal Hospital. Designed to advance research into giraffe physiology, genetics, reproduction, and welfare, it’ll allow scientists to study giraffes up close in a stress-free environment, track hormonal cycles, and even explore assisted reproduction techniques to boost populations.
It’s the work that could lead to better conservation of the species.
“We can work with giraffes much like we do with cattle. We can carry out artificial insemination, embryo implants, and monitor them with sonar daily. We can track their heat and hormonal cycles, which is why it’s so important to habituate them to human presence – touch, smell, and sound,” says Prof Francois Deacon, lead researcher and long-time champion of giraffe conservation.
The new world-first Amanzi facility will ultimately allow researchers to collect important data, test new conservation approaches, and build on earlier genetic discoveries, including the confirmation that giraffes are not one species, but four!
“At the Giraffe Research Centre in Amanzi, we have found a home. A facility that will allow scientists, conservationists, and researchers from all over the world to come together and help giraffes find a safe future.” said Jason Pootoolal, Vice-President of Save the Giraffes.
It’s another win for wildlife in SA, as the facility opens the doors to the necessary research that must be done to protect our precious giraffes.
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