places to go
Established 1942
collaring. The team also collects a small sample of DNA to further aid their research. Four or five ground readings a day are achieved with the GPS tracker and it's hoped the collars, funded by American giraffe enthusiasts, will last for two years. "This is all about getting information for the protection of the species and it was such a humbling experience. The giraffe population in Namibia is doing well because of the conservation work of GCF and Julian and Steph (Fennessy). Giraffe aren't endangered there, in fact, their numbers are on the increase and a lot of that is because of the work of GCF and their partners," Nat says. "In other parts of Africa, giraffe are in dire need of help. They're poached, mainly for their tails, for jewellery, and for status. Giraffes are currently found in 21 countries across Africa but are now extinct in seven other African countries. It's heartbreaking to think that more countries may soon lose giraffes if they're not protected." Emma says both she and Nat agree the trip is the best they have both ever done. "In other areas of Africa you expect to see a high concentration of animals but it was such a privilege to see what we did in Namibia in that harsh desert environment, and to see how the animals have adapted. "Without a doubt this experience has left us all fired up to help Julian and GCF in their continued efforts to help conserve not only the desert-living giraffe in Namibia, but all giraffe across Africa.” Back home, Emma says they've hit the ground running with their regular day jobs as zookeepers at Auckland Zoo. Which may not be a very huge deal after running with wild giraffe through one of the oldest and harshest deserts in the world.
CH AND CLOCK T A W
– Moira Kennedy. (Photos by Randal Hinz.)
RE
TS PA I R S I L SPECIA ALL ELS M AKES AND ALL MOD
FreshChoice supermarket in Glen Eden is now providing healthy relief for shopping parents by offering free fruit for their children. Fresh, seasonal fruit is available in the produce section, promoted with a “Free fruit for kids” poster. Janneke and Laurika de Lange are pictured celebrating the launch of the initiative by munching with their mother Liz. The FreshChoice Community Fund has also been opened up to allow local organisations to apply for funds for fruit and raw vegetables for schools and child-focused events.
please support our advertisers – they support us
BUS STATION TRAIN STATION
5 Totara Avenue New Lynn Tel. 09 827 5709 www.precisionwatches.co.nz OPEN SATURDAY MORNINGS The Fringe SEPTEMBER 2016
5