After 11 memorable years at Twycross Zoo, Setanta the Rothschild giraffe recently embarked on a major new chapter, traveling 75 miles from his East Midlands home. Making a journey this massive required a truly unique set of wheels - Setanta was transported by Crossborder using the world’s only purpose-built giraffe transporter. The vehicle has a roof that can be raised up to 6m and hydraulics to lower the platform to just 12 inches for the giraffe to exit.
Safe Delivery
The dedicated animal care and transport team from Crossborder Animal Services assembled next to the custom-made giraffe trailer after safely delivering Setanta. Setanta traveled very well and was delivered to the giraffe house in full view of excited visitors who couldn’t believe what they were seeing. He walked calmly out of the trailer and straight into the giraffe house without hesitation and started eating from the fresh branches that the rangers had prepared for him.
Team Effort
The combined Yorkshire Wildlife Park ranger crew and Crossborder specialists gathered in front of the world's only purpose-built six-metre high hydraulic giraffe transporter. Head of Hoofstock, Kyrie Birkett, had previously traveled down to Twycross to get to know Setanta before he came to YWP: “He is quite a calm and steady character and is very food-orientated. We have swapped notes with his keeper, who has looked after him for the past 10 years.”
Luscious Lunch
Setanta calmly enjoys fresh branches inside his new giraffe house. “I think he is going to be a big hit with visitors. We will introduce him to Jambo and Jengo over the next couple of days and hope that he will settle well as he has been in a bachelor group previously.” It also marks a sweet reunion with YWP’s animal director Dr Charlotte MacDonald, who previously worked with him at Twycross, and was there to welcome him when he arrived in 2015.
Warm Welcome
Standing tall, the majestic 15-year-old newcomer explores the sandy yard adjacent to the main giraffe house, greeting eager park visitors. The 15-year-old was originally bred at Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland and is named after a legendary Irish warrior. Dr Charlotte added: “I’m delighted that Setanta has arrived safely in Yorkshire. It feels like a full circle moment getting to work with him again and I am really happy to see him.”
Striking Features
A close-up view of Setanta shows the distinct facial markings and five ossicones unique to the endangered Rothschild's subspecies. There are four species of Giraffe and nine subspecies, including the endangered Rothschild's and Niger Giraffes. They all differ slightly in colouration and patterning. Dr Charlotte continued: "You will find two subspecies of Giraffe at YWP: Reticulated and Rothschild also known as Nubian giraffe. Reticulated giraffes are native to Somalia and parts of Ethiopia and Kenya, while Rothschild giraffes like Setanta are native to Kenya as well as Uganda."
Tall Order
Setanta strides alongside another resident giraffe in front of the elevated visitor viewing platform in the 'Into Africa' reserve. The coat of a Rothschild giraffe is a different shade from Reticulated giraffes, as the markings stop at their knees, giving the appearance of wearing long white stockings. They are also the only subspecies of giraffe to have five ossicones - the term given to the horn-like structures on their heads.
In the wild, there are currently around 1,100 Rothschild Giraffes and around 5,000 Reticulated. Dr Charlotte said: “We’re excited for him to explore the outside savannah area in Into Africa with his neighbours the Grévy's zebra, Eland Antelope and Forest Buffalo once he is used to his surroundings. Visitors will be able to see him in the Giraffe house and in the adjacent sand yard almost straightaway.”
The park, which is also home to the Yorkshire WildLife Foundation charity, is a centre for conservation and a leading player in efforts to save species around the world. The park offers visitors a unique walk-through experience, bringing them almost face-to-face with some of the world’s most beautiful and at-risk species, including Amur Leopards and Tigers, Cheetahs, Black Rhinos, Polar Bears and African Painted Dog.
