Two endangered giraffes electrocuted

NAIROBI, KENYA. – Two endangered Rothschild giraffes were electrocuted on Sunday when they walked into low-lying electrical power transmission lines.

These lines pass through the Soysambu Conservancy in Western Kenya.

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Dr. Paula Kahumbu, Producer and Host of Wildlife Warriors CEO WildlifeDirect, says in a Tweet these power lines have been killing giraffes, vultures and flamingos.

“Advice from experts was ignored. RIA ( Regulatory Impact Assessment) are notoriously poor on many development projects. Sad that it takes these kinds of deaths to wake some people up!”

Sen Mutula KilonzoJR@SenMutula on Twitter said that as a wildlife activist, these images were “grotesque”.

Endangered giraffes

Obi Chikwe said: “Frankly saddening and extremely disturbing to note how these endangered creatures die as a result of a preventable error occasioned by negligence on the part of very few.”

Assessing situation

The Kenya Wildlife Service released a media statement in which they confirmed there are 28 850 giraffe in the country: 12 717 are Masaai giraffe, 15 524 are Reticulated giraffe and 609 are Rothchild’s giraffe.

“The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) hereby informs the public that Kenya Power and Lighting Company is currently assessing the situation in Soysambu Conservancy in Nakuru, after reports that two giraffe were electrocuted to death. The company is expected to replace the electricity poles to prevent electrocution of giraffes within the area.

“At the same time, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Hon. Najib Balala is engaging the Energy Cabinet Secretary Hon. Charles Keter on the same for a lasting solution.”