Heartbreaking photo of dead giraffes in Kenya show effects of a year-long drought

• Devastating photos from Kenya show 6 giraffes dead and emaciated as a result of a drought.
• The drought since December 2020, has killed off crops, wild animals, and livestock.

A photo of six dead giraffes in Kenya highlights the devastating impact of a prolonged, harsh drought.

The images show six dead giraffes, their emaciated bodies intertwined, at the Sabuli Wildlife Conservancy in Northeastern Kenya. They died due to malnutrition caused by a lack of vegetative growth and water due to the drought.

According to the photographer, photojournalist Ed Ram, the giraffes were trying to reach a nearby reservoir desperate for water — but it had dried up.

The Star, a Kenyan news publication, reports that the lives of over 4000 giraffes in the region are now at risk.

The current drought began in December 2020, Al Jazeera reported. The UN reports that some parts of Kenya have not seen such poor rainfall since 1981.

According to the analysis written by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the crop reduction and water insecurity have left almost 2.4 million people in Kenya unable to access food every day. As a result, 368,000 people face "emergency levels of hunger," as well as 523,000 children under age five in urgent need of treatment for acute malnutrition.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Zenab Kule, a 25-year-old pregnant Kenyan woman has been forced to feed herself and her toddlers with just maize, as no other crops are available. The family is exhibiting frequent symptoms of malnourishment and dehydration.

"The only hope I have left is for the rain to come," she said.