GIRAFFE CENTRE IN NAIROBI

November 21, 2012

We flew to Nairobi on Tuesday November 20

for the Senior Missionary Conference and

Thanksgiving at the Mission Home.

On Wednesday Elder Moon had a dentist

appointment to repair a chipped filling so

Sister Moon went with some other

couples to see several sites.

The first stop was the

Giraffe Centre in Nairobi.

Poachers are a big problem in Kenya and when

young abandoned or orphaned animals are found

they are brought here or other sanctuaries.

They bring young giraffe here to care for them and

to use them as a teaching/information

center for schools and other visitors.

After a while they are incorporated into

the "wild"or a reserve center.

This bus was at the centre and provided for a

great backdrop for a group picture.

I liked this sign on the side of the visitor's shop.

 A giraffe saw us and came for a

look-see and a nibble.

They are fed pellets by the visitors but they

don't get enough to become dependent on the

food given them. They eat from their

natural habitat so they will make a good

transfer to the animal reserve. 

Taking a picture of Elder Scott taking a picture.

His was probably a better view!!

 A giraffe tongue is antiseptic so there are no germs

when they eat from your hand or mouth.

Their tongue is 18 inches long and is purple and 

covered with saliva that kills all the germs it meets.

Also, when they get a cut on their mouth it heals

immediately because of the antiseptic.

Looking for someone to give him a pellet.

This is the only giraffe that will take the pellet from

a person's mouth.

Another interesting thing we learned is that 

giraffes give birth standing up!

The new born falls about 6 feet and the fall breaks the sack.

The baby can run about 35 mph within an hour of birth.

It is a good protection against predators.

 Yum! Yum! Pretty good from Elder Gotcher's hand! 

I get to touch a real live giraffe in Nairobi Kenya!!

A giraffe can crush the skull of a lion with one kick even 

though the lion is the most feared predator.

 There were also warthogs in the area.

There was a family of them but I didn't get a good picture of them.

This is the dad warthog. What a creature!!

 

 We could all take a lesson from the warthogs!!

When they eat or find their food they

ALWAYS kneel as they eat.

We should be as "humble"!!