| The giraffe is one of the easy animals to find in | | | | when they encountered a herd of giraffes, nobody |
| various kenyan parks. It is easily identified by its long | | | | paid much attention. Koech in his aggressive style |
| neck and beautiful spots. It has a such graceful walk | | | | drove straight into the herd. His intention was to go |
| and and almost a friendly glance to you from up | | | | accross to the other side and leave the animals at |
| there. But like all the animals in the park, never cross | | | | peace. |
| the giraffe in the wrong way. | | | | One rule about the giraffe is that the bull always |
| The big cats in Africa, love to prey on different | | | | walks behind the family. He oversees that the |
| animals. The giraffe is no exceptional. Lions often | | | | females and the young are safe from a vantage |
| attempt to attack it especially when it is with calf, | | | | position, behind them. Anyone or anything that |
| but chances that a hunt of the giraffe will be | | | | interferes with this set of affairs is an enemy who |
| successful are minimal. Being one of the few animals | | | | should be dealt with ruthlessly. Without his |
| that can kick with all the four legs, the giraffe makes | | | | knowledge, Koech had broken one of the cardinal |
| even the biggest of the African lions avoid it and go | | | | rules of the giraffe, by driving through the family. Due |
| for easier prey. | | | | to poor visibility, the vehicle was moving slowly. |
| Understanding the animal behavior, likes and dislikes | | | | The first kick hit the edge of the windscreen, |
| can make the difference between life and death in | | | | forming a muddy blackout. There were two others |
| parks. For instance when near elephants, it is | | | | on the sides almost simultineously leaving everyone |
| important to keep silent at all times. The cats seem | | | | baffled and confused. Koech had now stopped the |
| playful even when they are most dangerous and the | | | | vehicle, uncertain what the cause of the mayhem |
| buffalo needs no provocation to attack. Never stand | | | | was. There was one last massive kick on his door |
| on the way of the hippo to the water, but ultimately, | | | | before the bull girrafe gracefully trotted towards the |
| always maintain a safe distance from all animals in the | | | | rest of the family. |
| parks even when the animal can be classified as a no | | | | Unknowingly to the crew, the girafffe had put the |
| threat. | | | | landrover between his legs for intruding into the |
| On one of their morning routine check up trips, Martin | | | | family unit. This rare encounter could easily have |
| and colleagues woke up to a very foggy morning. | | | | proven deadly had it not been for the strong |
| The check up involves a drive through the park to | | | | reinforcement of the side landrover bars. All this was |
| confirm that all has been well the night before. Martin | | | | done in utter silence. Indeed the giraffe never makes |
| was seated at the back of the landrover while two | | | | any sound and most of its communication is with |
| warders and the driver were in front. After driving | | | | gestures and movement. But it is one animal that one |
| for only a few meters from the gate, Mr Koech a | | | | does not consider dangerous and you often see |
| warder requested to have a feel of the vehicle. He | | | | people walking past the giraffe daily. But as is with |
| had just learnt driving, and the wheel gave him a lot | | | | the case all African wild animals, even the friendly |
| of excitement. | | | | looking ones are basically wild and they roam |
| Visibility was poor. One could hardly see beyond ten | | | | independently, instictively defending themselves and |
| metres. Koech who could not be described as a | | | | their kind in the true sense of survival for the fittest. |
| smooth driver, was having a ball, swerving and | | | | James G. Kamweru is a tour operator and has been |
| breaking the landrover. The bumpy Koech drive was | | | | organizing and reporting on Vacation, Travel and |
| more of interest this morning and it seemed they will | | | | Tours for years. For More Information Visit his site at |
| go back to the camp without any incident. Even | | | | Kenya. |