1.1 Ruminants
In 1826, the king of Egypt was looking for a way to make friends with European rulers. So he sent his servants into the desert of Southern Sudan to capture three baby giraffes. It would be the perfect diplomatic gift.
From the movie Zarafa, about the giraffe that went to France
And so the giraffes started their epic journey to Europe. One of them, was travelling to London by boat with its head sticking out the roof.
When it arrived, it was the first time anyone had ever seen a giraffe. People fell in love with it, coming up with giraffe hairstyles and clothes.
Nubian Giraffe (1827) by Jacques-Laurent Agasse © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015 www.royalcollection.org.uk
