The Giraft: A Real-Life Giraffe Rescue

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection.

When eight rare Baringo giraffes are stranded due to floodwaters, wildlife rescuers create a flotational craft to ferry the giraffes to a new home.

Poor Asiwa—time is running out! She and seven other rare Nubian giraffes have peacefully lived on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Baringo in Kenya. But now relentless rain and rising floodwaters have turned their home into an island. Food is running out. It's especially desperate for Asiwa as the water has stranded her away from the other giraffes. She is alone and frightened. If the giraffes aren't rescued, this endangered breed will be one step closer to extinction.

But how does one transport an almost 20-foot-tall wild animal? With a GiRaft, of course! An alliance of wildlife rangers, conservancies, and local community members work to create a flotational craft specifically to ferry the giraffes to a new home. Will Asiwa and her herd get on board?

Written by noted conservationist Laurel Neme, the extraordinary rescue of Asiwa and her herd of Nubian giraffes comes to life. Back matter shares more about Asiwa, as well as fun giraffe facts.

As a young girl, Laurel Neme dreamed of helping animals. At first, she wanted to be a large animal veterinarian and talk to the animals like Dr. Dolittle. Later, she wanted to be an animal scientist like Jane Goodall and filled notebooks with observations about her goldfish. Eventually, she decided to help animals in her own way―by telling their stories through books and news articles for National Geographic and others. She lives in Shelburne, Vermont, with her family, which includes their super smart German shepherd who knows how to do the laundry.

Elisa Paganelli’s work includes The Highland Falcon Thief, named a Waterstones Book of the Month. She lives in High Wycombe, United Kingdom.