12/08/2025
Back in 2019, one giraffe captured our disbelief with his dramatically crooked neck. Whether the result of scoliosis or a youthful injury, his condition seemed so severe that we doubted he would survive in this harsh environment.
Fast forward six years, and against all odds, he has appeared again, healthier and stronger than ever. His coat has deepened into the rich, dark hue often seen in older male giraffes. Far from being hindered by his irregular neck, he has sired multiple offspring, living proof that he is thriving in this landscape. He not only survived the gruelling drought of 2022, when thousands of animals across Amboseli perished, but has also evaded major threats while living in a lion-rich stronghold.
He has aptly been named “Wonkiito,” after another legendary survivor from the same Amboseli ecosystem in Kenya: Loonkiito, the oldest wild lion ever recorded. Like his namesake, Wonkiito has defied every expectation.
His survival is a testament to Amboseli’s conservation success, built on coexistence between wildlife and the Maasai people. Across much of Africa, giraffe numbers are declining, but here they remain stable thanks to strong protection and community collaboration. Big Life Foundation plays a vital role on community land, safeguarding wildlife like this giraffe across the ecosystem.
Back in 2019, I wrote: “You can bend me, but you cannot break me!” Today, that statement feels truer than ever. He truly still is the “Kink of the Jungle.”
