It looks like a desperate dance of death: An aerial photo of six dead giraffes in Kenya lying in a circle on the dry ground has drawn international attention to the severe drought in the East African country.
According to the Getty Images agency, the animals wanted to reach a nearby, almost dried-out water reservoir.
The carcasses were then brought near the village of Eyrib.
At the beginning of December, the Kenyan newspaper “Star” also reported on numerous finds of wild animals that had starved and died of thirst in the wildlife parks. Buffalo and elephants were also included. The drought has intensified the competition for water points and grazing areas among the animals, said the administrator of a park. Of the previous at least eight water points, only one is left.
The severe drought is not only causing distress for the animals.
After three consecutive bad rainy seasons, more than 2.9 million people were in urgent need of humanitarian aid, according to a United Nations report.
Some areas have seen the lowest rainfall since 1981.
Since many water sources have dried up, families have to walk long distances.
This leads to tension and conflict.
In some counties there have been reports of child marriage and dropping out of school so that the children could support their families.