Embarking on an epic journey, Benito, the giraffe, has bid farewell to the arid landscapes of Mexico’s northern regions, venturing on a 2,000km odyssey toward more temperate climates in the south.
This remarkable migration comes in response to fervent activism, with advocates raising concerns about Benito’s struggles amid the extreme conditions of Ciudad Juárez.
As the three-year-old giraffe set forth, expressions of love reverberated from passionate activists who had tirelessly campaigned for his relocation. Hailing from Ciudad Juárez’s Parque Central zoo, Benito faced challenges in a desert climate that could soar to a scorching 42°C (108°F) in summer and plunge to freezing temperatures in winter—an inhospitable environment for giraffes, as tragically evidenced by the demise of Modesto, a fellow giraffe at the same zoo in 2022.
The intricately designed 5m-tall container, housing Benito for his journey, was loaded onto a truck in the early hours of Monday. Prior to departure, the giraffe familiarized himself with the container, equipped with features allowing him to peek out or be covered with a protective tarp to shield him from the elements and potential stressors.
The voyage to his new sanctuary, a safari park in Puebla, spans approximately 50 hours. Frank Carlos Camacho, the director of the safari park, shared insights into the container’s advanced features, including cameras, sensors, and provisions of alfalfa, fruits, vegetables, and water to ensure Benito’s well-being. The container even boasts a microphone for communication.
At Puebla’s African Safari park, visitors will witness Benito thriving in a more natural habitat from all-terrain vehicles. Activist Perla Iris Guzmán, part of the “Let’s Save Benito” collective, expressed gratitude to the community for believing in their cause, emphasizing that this achievement transcends the efforts of a single group, echoing the spirit of a united Juárez community that rallied to safeguard the well-being of their “gentle giant.”