Tain distillery sticks out its neck to support endangered giraffes from 'silent extinction'

SOME lovers of the Glenmorangie dram may not know this, but the world renowned Tain distillery has long celebrated the giraffe as its symbol.

With its extraordinary height, the animal perfectly illustrates the stature of the single malt whisky’s towering stills which play a crucial part in achieving the distinctive flavour.

And now the distillery has demonstrated its commitment to this endangered animal by forging a global conservation partnership to help safeguard its future.

The Glenmorangie’s copper stills are the tallest in Scotland, having necks the same height as an adult male giraffe.

But although the giraffe’s silhouette is known and loved at Glenmorangie, as it is across the world, few are aware of the threat it faces in the wild.

Numbers have fallen by 30 per cent in 30 years, with some types of giraffe now critically endangered. With the giraffe’s decline going largely unnoticed, a BBC/PBS documentary on the work of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and its partners, narrated by Sir David Attenborough has warned of a “silent extinction”.

In a concerted effort to aid the giraffe, Glenmorangie is pioneering a three-year partnership with the GCF and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).

This two-pronged approach will support efforts to protect giraffes in the wild in Africa and provide a habitat for the animal at Edinburgh Zoo, which will play a vital role in their conservation.

Under the partnership Glenmorangie will support GCF’s work in Africa, with a focus on Uganda, and also support RZSS in creating the Edinburgh Zoo habitat which is scheduled to open this summer of 2020. This facility will help aid conservation in the wild through genetic research to support GCF’s translocation efforts, and raise visitors’ awareness of the threats facing the species.

Thomas Moradpour, president and chief executive of The Glenmorangie Company, said: “For 175 years we have created whisky, in stills as high as an adult giraffe. Over time, this majestic animal has become a beloved symbol our brand. It seems only right that we should channel our passion for this animal into our new global conservation partnership with GCF and RZSS. Together, we will work to protect giraffes in the wild and shine a light on their predicament before it’s too late.”

Glenmorangie’s giraffe symbol can be seen in many places around the Highland Distillery – eagle-eyed visitors may even spot it in a stained glass window in the majestic still house.

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