Preserve celebrates World Giraffe Day

Veterinary technician Cathy Riehm is nuzzled by one of the Rothschild?s giraffes. Matthew Reed photo.

The B Bryan Preserve in Point Arena will join in an international celebration of the first World Giraffe Day this Saturday, June 21. The preserve hosts a selection of endangered or critically endangered species, including the Rothschild's giraffe.

Cathy Riehm, veterinary technician with Village Veterinary in Mendocino, helps care for five male Rothschild's giraffes. She is training them to respond to a clicker so that she and others will not be required to sedate the animals when they need basic care. The health of the animals, which can top 20 feet tall and weigh 1 ton, is monitored and maintained through blood, urine and stool samples as well as hoof trimming, Riehm said.

B Bryan Preserve acquired the giraffes from the San Diego Safari Park.


According to Riehm, in as little as a decade, there may only be one species of giraffe in the wild, without the distinct subspecies, including the Rothschild's giraffe.

Also known as the Ugandan or knee-sock giraffe, the Rothschild's giraffe is being threatened by hunting and interbreeding with other giraffe species as each species loses habitat. It is one of a handful of endangered or critically endangered species being preserved with the aid of the B Bryan Preserve.

They are called the knee-sock giraffe because there are no spots below the knee, Riehm said. It is one of the oldest species of giraffe and also the tallest mammal on earth.

The differences between the Rothschild's giraffe and other giraffes are seemingly subtle. Riehm said that the spots on a Rothschild's giraffe are a lighter shade of brown with smoother edges compared to other giraffes. She said the spaces between the spots are an off-white or cream color.

Giraffe day

For World Giraffe Day, the B Bryan Preserve will conduct giraffe-specific tours every hour, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A 10-minute lecture about the critically endangered Rothschild's giraffe and B Bryan Preserve's role in conserving this species will start on the hour. Groups will head out to the giraffes in the Land Rover to meet Riehm and get a training demonstration, an explanation about the role training has in conservation and an opportunity to get close to the animals for photographs.

For those who have not experienced these amazing, and immense, creatures up close, the giraffes have learned how to take leafy treats from a lucky human's hand, using their near-prehensile tongues, with more care than some domesticated dogs.

It can almost be called "dainty."

Riehm cautioned that the giraffes at B Bryan are not domesticated animals. They are still wild and able to cause serious harm to careless humans, she said.

The cost of tours on World Giraffe Day is $15 per adult and $5 per child under 10 years. All proceeds go to the Giraffe Conservation Organization. Visitors can book online at or call 707-882-2297 to make a reservation.