Inside delicate Baringo giraffe translocation

Longicharo Island [Courtesy]

Before water levels started rising, Longicharo island enjoyed the serenity of a mythical animal kingdom, towering above the vast mass of water in Lake Baringo. Longicharo’s magnificence has almost been magical  - popping out in unsullied splendour at the backdrop of the endless lake. Within it, towering giraffes ruled, hundreds of birds lulled it to sleep and Longicharo always woke up to the grunts from hungry warthogs ravaging for the day’s meal.

Initially, the island was part of the 44,000-hectare Ruko Community Conservancy in Baringo before rising water levels cut it off from the mainland.