Thanda Safari, a 'Big 5' reserve on 35,000 acres in the heart of Zululand, KwaZulu Natal, also has an abundance of giraffe.

The giraffe is the tallest mammal on earth, no two giraffes have the same coat pattern and their tongue is long to navigate around the thorns of the Acacia tree.

Less well known is that these herbivores eat bones, are essential pollinators and have also helped NASA scientists develop astronaut's anti-gravity suits.

At the end of the dry winter season food is often in short supply and giraffe require some 30kg of food each day when many trees do not yet have their summer foliage.

One tree, the Knob thorn (Senegalia [Acacia] nigrescens), has evolved a strategy that meets both its needs and those of the giraffe by early flowering.

Creamy-white flowers appear in abundance during late August at Thanda Safari when most other trees are still bare.

Whilst feeding on these protein rich flowers the giraffe becomes dusted with pollen on its head and neck depositing its pollen load when it moves onto the next tree".

Whilst feeding on these protein rich flowers the giraffe becomes dusted with pollen on its head and neck depositing its pollen load when it moves onto the next tree".

It is in no doubt that giraffes are 'vegetarian' and so it is something of a surprise to come across one with a bone in its mouth.

Giraffe require large amounts of phosphorous and calcium to sustain the growth and maintenance of their skeletons.

Unlike calcium, phosphorous levels in leaf matter are thought to be insufficient and this common practice suggests that some benefit is derived by the giraffe.

In addition, a series of specialised vein and artery structures regulate rapid blood flows as they bend down to drink, and rise back up again, preventing blood pooling in the lower extremities – properties which were studied extensively by NASA scientists as they were developing astronaut's anti-gravity suits.

Whilst giraffes at Thanda Safari are successful breeders and sightings are plentiful, they are classified as Vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as numbers across Africa have declined by almost 30% in just over three decades.

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation is currently the only NGO in the world that concentrates solely of the conservation and management of wild giraffe throughout Africa.

Thanda Safari

It offers an authentic South African wildlife experience with excellent game viewing all year round, while also being committed to the Zulu culture, conservation of the environment and wildlife research.

It also actively works to uplift the local communities through aids awareness programmes for school children and other projects.

The reserve's three accommodation options comprise :

• Villa iZulu, a 5-suite Villa
• Thanda Safari Lodge, featuring nine suites that are shaped like traditional Zulu homesteads, and
• Thanda Tented Camp comprising 15 canvas tents.

Useful links

www.thandasafari.co.za

www.giraffeconservation.org