jacquesvaneck's Identifications

''Galana hybrid giraffe'' - Tsavo East NP

In some places vicinity of the Galana River, which flows through Kenya's largest Tsavo East National Park, giraffes are naturally hybridized (especially during the dry season when the river does not form a barrier on some sections). The Reticulated giraffe (G.c.reticulata) lives north of the Galana River, while the Masai giraffe (G.c.tippelskirchi) lives on the south side bank. Hybrids of these two subspecies are more similar to the Masai giraffe, but the size and shape of the spots resemble a more reticulated subspecies. They are referred to in the literature as the so-called Galana hybrid Giraffe (Kingdon, 1997). Galana hybrid giraffe can also be mixed in normal herds (and vice versa). They are most commonly observed in the southeastern part of Tsavo East in the Galana River Valley.