1.1 Ruminants

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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.

giraffe captured

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.

route

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.

Jacques-Laurent_Agasse_-_Nubian_Giraffe_-_Google_Art_Project

Nubian Giraffe (1827) by Jacques-Laurent Agasse © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2015 www.royalcollection.org.uk

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