Cutest Orphaned Giraffe Ever Gets Special ‘Skyscraper’ Stable

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/11/26/cutest-orphaned-giraffe-ever-gets-special-skyscraper-stable?cmpid=tpdaily-eml-2014-11-28



Kili rests his chin on the head of one of his keepers. (Photo: Courtesy David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust)

November 28, 2014 By John R. Platt

John R. Platt covers the environment, technology, philanthropy, and more for Scientific American, Conservation, Lion, and other publications.

An orphaned Kenyan giraffe named Kili has a new home this week thanks to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, whose supporters helped to build a special stable for him to sleep in.

Kili arrived at the Trust’s nursery for orphaned animals in Nairobi, Kenya, in August after being found wandering alone in Amboseli National Park. At the time he was just one week old but already nearly six feet tall. The nursery’s stables were built to hold young elephants, rhinos, and other animals, so they didn’t provide enough headroom for the rapidly growing giraffe.

The Sheldrick Trust had never hosted an orphaned giraffe before, so it turned to social media for help. Supporters around the world donated $3,600 to build a new “skyscraper” stable with higher ceilings, more legroom, and a taller door. It’s right next to the elephant stable where Kili was first housed. A window between the two stables allows him to stay close to his old roommates.

“He can still look through to see his little elephant companions, Ndotto and Nkii, and their night keepers,” said Bob Brandford, the director for the Trust in the United Kingdom.

FULL story and elephant petition at link.