 ASSOCIATION TO
SAFEGUARD THE GIRAFFES OF NIGER (ASGN)
Convinced of the importance and benefit of this project in 2005 South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Cumbria, UK joined Zoo de Doue, France to fund the
ASGN.
The last
Giraffe's of Western Africa
According to IUCN Red List 2003 although several
giraffe sub-species, like the Kordofan goraffe (Sudan), are rare
they are not considered to be Endangered but Low risk Conservation
dependant - dependant upon projects like: ASGN Association
pour la Sauvergarde des Giraffes du Niger
Republic of Niger
Capital:
Niamey
Population:
11,058,590
Area:
1.267 million square km
Climate: Desert mostly hot dry dusty,
tropical
in extreme south. - recurring droughts.
Terrain:
mostly desert plains and sand
dunes.
Life
expectancy: 42 years
Labour
force: 70,000 receive regular
wages /salary.
Population
below poverty line: 63%
Environment
issues: overgrazing; soil
erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as
elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of
poaching and habitat destruction
A population at the edge of the extinction
100 years ago thousands of giraffes lived throughout Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. In 1996 there were just 50 left all gathered in the south west of Niger.
Why? The causes of such a massive drop in numbers are numerous: poaching, increasing human demography, destruction of the vegetation, excessive cultures, desertification –(turning into a desert).
A particular population
Peralta giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis
peralta) are CRITICALLY ENDANGERED and the population of Peralta giraffes in Niger are the last giraffes in West Africa. They live in an unprotected area of southwest Niger in direct contact with the people and their cattle. The destiny of the last giraffes of West Africa is thus closely dependent on that of the human populations.
History
From 1995 to 2000 a conservation project for the last giraffes of West Africa was carried out by the European Union and was supported by the Agency Dutchwoman of Development. This project, named PURNKO: “Use Project of the Natural resources of Kouré” made it possible to find out more about the ecology of the giraffe and, thanks to the participation of the local populations, to protect its habitat – “tiger bush” the
striped bush.
Less threatened, the population of the giraffes increased, from 50 giraffes in 1996 to 87 in 2000. Since 2000 the project was taken over by the Association for the Safeguard of the Giraffes of Niger (ASGN). This association is managed and animated by natives of Niger.
Found
South-west of Niger. The giraffes concentrate on the plates of Kouré during the rain season and, during the dry season, in the area of
Harikanassou.
Objective 
The purpose of the ASGN is to protect the giraffes and their habitat, while improving the wellbeing of the local populations.
Local human populations
The “Giraffe” zone (Kouré/Dallol Bosso) is one of the densely populated areas of Niger – with nearly 50.000 people and, has a demographic rate more than the national average. Three ethnic groups live in this zone: Zarmas, which is a cereal culture, Peuls and the Tuaregs which are wandering agro-pastors.
Activities and results 2000-2005
The ASGN aim to show that a rational management of the natural resources can lead to their durable conservation, while allowing a harmonious development of the village communities in their environment. Each activity rests on a participative and integrated approach where the economic, social and ecological components are taken into account.
► Protection of the giraffes:
Giraffes census and identification
In 2005, the ASGN organized a scientific counting of the giraffes and their identification in order to make “an item zero” of pubic health of the giraffes. 135 giraffes were counted. The counting and the individual identification of the giraffes allow, not only to precisely know the number of individuals, but also the composition of the population - sex ratio, distribution by age group… - thus bringing a better knowledge
of the species and a forecast of its evolution in time and space.
The database obtained can regularly and be easily brought up to date, thanks to the installation of an inspection network in the villages.
· Creation of informative traffic signs in the zone giraffe.
· Formation of a network of local advisors and monitoring of the giraffes
► Protection of the habitat: Food for work
Reforestation project whereby the villagers receive cereals in exchange of the creation of seedbeds allowing replanting trees, on their degraded grounds, which can be used as food for the giraffes. 37,5 hectares of degraded have been recovered on the plates of Kouré.
► Actions with the local populations
· Reduce the conflict between man and giraffe
1. Public awareness campaign and crop protection
The number of giraffe increase from year to year but the habitat does not stop being degraded. The giraffes sometimes feed in the villagers gardens. To avoid that, as well as the “Food For Work” public awareness campaigns are organized by the ASGN and the giraffe cell of
the Management of the Fauna of Fishing and Pisciculture (DFPP) to train the villagers with the protection of their cultures and to sensitize them.
The DFPP and the ASGN organized a first mission in March 2005. It related to 8 villages within the giraffe zone.
Results:
-
The local populations were sensitized with the fact that the food behaviour of the giraffes is a consequence of the destruction of the habitat and demolition of certain species of trees, which they eat.
-
Techniques of protection of harvests (trenches, fences) and taking away of trees were presented.
-
The importance of the giraffe from an economic and social point of view was pointed out.
Stock the pond of Beba Bangou (close to Harikanassou) with fish
Until 2004 the giraffes watered themselves in the pond where the villagers fished. In 2004 the project purchased a new pond and supplied it with fish to make it possible to the fishermen to follow their occupation without disturbing and being disturbed by the giraffes. Today a pond is preserved for the giraffes, and a new pond, managed by a
grouping of fishermen, is dedicated to fishing.
Establishing the association of the tourist guides AVEN (Association of Ecotouristique Valorization of Niger)
The purchase of uniforms, bicycles and informative leaflets to develop ecotourism in the giraffe zone. These also help visitors identify false guides.
The association of the guides is an important part in the development of the giraffe zone. It is the bond between the public (foreign tourists, local tourists, institutional public…) and project activities and also part of the funds from visitors is allotted to the villages of the zone.
Thanks to this collaboration, the 10 guides pass on the ecological and cultural richness of their territory, allow tourists to admire some of the 135 giraffes in their natural environment and at the same time safeguard the giraffe.
Increase awareness of the local populations
Demonstrations and talks through local schools and villages. In December 2005 school correspondence started between schools of the village of Kouré, Niamey and France.
Development aid
§ Micro-credits
Operation: Micro-credits (loan of money) are granted to groups of women by the ASGN. A group of women is defined as an organization whose members belong to the same community, decide to link their efforts to meet the same need, to take in hand their development and to improve their living conditions. The women play a very
important part in the villages because it is with them that falls the maintenance of the home and the education of the children. The husbands are not always present so they must work hard to ensure the survival of their family.
The micro-credits enable them to develop new income generating activities. The groups buy seeds or cattle to begin trade and to collect benefit. Generally, the groups bring together 20 people and the granted credit is 500.000 CFA (£500), that is to say 25.000 CFA (£25) per woman.
The credit is fixed for a 14-month duration, divided into two 6 months phases.
In the first phase each recipient of the group must save 1/10 of the sum they have received every 2 months. The saving is deposited on the account of the ASGN. This operation is repeated during the second phase. At the end of the 12 months, the saving is given to the women.
This money, which is added to the benefits that they already received from selling their cultures or their cattle, enables them to be independent and to continue to develop income-generating activities.
At the present time, 15 groups of women, from various villages of the zone giraffe, already received micro-credits. Since, the conditions of the women clearly improved the men start to be interested in these systems of loans. In 2005 a first group of 100 men, received a micro-credit for the purchase of manure. The ASGN aims to extend the system of micro-credits to new groups of women and men. The objective is to offer services of quality to the maximum number of people to allow them a self-management of the system.
§ Food Bank
In 2005 a food bank was established. The food bank is an economic and social activity of an organized local community who organise the operations of collection, storage, conservation and transfer of cereals in order to ensure a food source. And thus contributes to self-promotion.
§ Finance of grain mills
The mechanization of this activity means for the women an improvement of their quality of life before the mill they would have to get up 3 hours early to grind the “chummy” by hand.
 Up to summer 2005 the project has financed three grain mills and the village committees manage their maintenance.
§ Apprenticeships
to allow girls to learn a trade.
§ Finance of a motorbike ambulance.
A motor bike ambulance, required by the women of Harikanassou, one of the two chief towns of the giraffe zone, to transport patients.
§ Finance of wells
In 2005 the project financed 2 wells for the villages of Kanaré and Doullheul Bella Peulh. And repaired the well of Koddo and Tioudawa. Maintenance of the wells is managed and financed by village committees.
The conservation of the giraffes is only possible by working with local communities and sensitizing them with the need for preserving their environment and by helping them to find solutions for their development.
The project is successful shown as the population of the giraffes has increased since 1996. The giraffe, now respected, is regarded as the amulet of most villages.
Prospects and needs 2006
The ASGN continues its activities of awareness and developing local aid for 2006 and beyond and are looking for additional funding to cover:
Installation of 12 new micro-credits: £6,275
Installation of the cereal banks: £2,750
Micro appropriations for women (seeds): £1,570
Micro appropriations for men: £2,600
Installation of gantries on 15 well: £2,350
Ground recovery: £3,000
Creation of seedbeds: £1,900
Formation of the groupings in community life £2,700
Support with the communes £2,100
£ 25, 250
The mission of counting the giraffe population will begin again in July
An inventory of the medical needs for the giraffe zone is in hand - the objective to receive very soon a team of French doctors.
How can you help?
If you are visiting South Lakes Wild Animal Park you’ll see in the park gift shop sculptures and Sandals of Niger for sale or
why not adopt a wild giraffe for just £20 (click the link above)
the money of which all goes to
safeguard the last giraffes of Niger.
Please see the other pages below for more
information.
| 
The
Wildlife Protection
Foundation
