In 2016, all four species of giraffe were upgraded by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to “Vulnerable” and two species in particular, the West African giraffe and the Rothschild’s giraffe, are now listed as “Endangered.”. Rather than facing the wrath of a federal judge, FWS issued a finding in April 2019 that the endangerment listing “may be warranted.” That gave the agency nine additional months to decide whether the listing is, in fact, warranted. Acacia trees and their seeds, a favorite food of giraffes, are not favored by other species so seed germination of this iconic African tree would be stymied without the germination effects of giraffes’ consumption. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. Thankfully this complex pressure regulation system can manage these wild extremes — and can prevent too much blood flow to the brain when the giraffe has to bend all the way down to drink water. “These important steps will vastly increase public consciousness of the plight of giraffes.”. “We have a huge awareness problem,” Pepper says. Three curious giraffe, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa. According to the latest report of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Kordofan and Nubian subspecies of giraffe are now "critically endangered," while the reticulated giraffe was listed as "endangered." Interior’s Bernhardt helped bury a damning pesticide report, the Clean Air Committee goes soft on soot, and Trump nominates a climate change denier to the Fed board. Their size, particularly their legs and feet, give them a mighty kick that can deter even big cats like lions and leopards. The giraffe, or giraffa camelopardalis, is endangered due to habitat loss, the breaking up of habitat areas, the lack of suitability in existing habitats, poaching and new human population growth. “Giraffes are in serious danger of extinction, and that is why the U.S. Giraffe-hide rugs and clothing are also common, as are taxidermied body parts. (It can be exceedingly difficult for a customs official to determine the age of a piece of elephant ivory or giraffe bone.). An important international agreement for stopping illegal wildlife trade deserves our attention—and now. Hawaiians will never again hear the song of George the Snail. The purpose of the ESA is to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. 2 Min Read. The entire giraffe population is vulnerable and at risk, but we consider two subspecies endangered. Given that fact, plus the alarmingly vigorous trade in giraffe parts in the United States, endangered status would trigger several important protections for the species. In 2017, a coalition of conservation groups (including NRDC) petitioned the U.S. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation is working to provide giraffes with new safe spaces. In the face of ever-growing pressure on their livelihoods, some Sudanese have also turned to giraffe bushmeat as a means of survival. Giraffes are also believed to be pollinators, as they go from tree to tree, blossom to blossom, across large distances. Wildlife ACT further employs a strategy that elevates the profiles of key endangered species such as African Painted Wolves (also known as Wild Dogs), Rhino, Cheetah and Vultures to act as umbrella species – while they are worthy of active conservation in their own rights, by saving these species and their habitats, other species such as the giraffe also benefit and are protected. There are nine subspecies of giraffes and all are en… Giraffes are also threatened by the proliferation of disease, including a lesion-inducing skin disease that is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as inbreeding (a result of populations’ inability to intermix due to habitat fragmentation) and the increased frequency and magnitude of droughts associated with climate change. Conservationists have been sounding the alarm bells on giraffes for several years. Check your local zoo and see how they are helping giraffes in the wild. International Union for Conservation of Nature, increased wildlife trafficking and poaching, U.S. hunters imported 3,744 dead giraffes between 2006 and 2015, mulling over a proposal to list the species, Pro-extinction Policies Do Not Sit Well With Americans, Whatever Their Stripe, Facing Down the Ivory Sellers, Pangolin Poachers, and Giraffe Traders, Epic Animals Aren’t Meant for Trafficking, To Save These Rare Giraffes, Uganda Built an Ark (of Sorts). Giraffes need to find habitats that protect them from poachers, offer solid food and fluid resources, do not have an abundance of predators and provide an overall stable environment. For this subspecies to be declared endangered is a wake-up call, Sanerib says. If they are listed as endangered or threatened, the US Fish and Wildlife Service will write restrictions on the taking, possessing, selling or transporting of giraffes or their parts. Masai giraffes, one of the largest giraffe subspecies, are now being classified as “critically endangered” after a sharp population decline. Read more about us. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the gold standard for assessing endangerment, has found that giraffes are “vulnerable,” meaning they face a “high risk” of extinction in the wild. They were such an iconic part of the African landscape that it was assumed they were in no danger and little focus was paid to research and protection. Four out of five of us express support for the Endangered Species Act. Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty. The Endangered Species Act is under attack. War conflicts: African conflicts such as the Somali Civil War, the Chad-Sudan conflict, the Nigerian … While most species of giraffes are not endangered, some species such as the West African And/or Nigerian Giraffe are endangered due to the fact that human poachers often hunt them for their skins, meat, fur and tails. Why Are Giraffes Becoming Endangered? As an iconic animal of Africa’s savannah, it would be heartbreaking to lose the symbol of the wild – that silhouette of the giraffe on the sunset horizon of the savannah, yet it could be a strong possibility if action is not taken soon. Giraffes considered for ‘endangered’ status after steady population decline ‘We love these animals, and they’ve been undergoing a silent extinction without the public being aware of it’ Make a symbolic Giraffe adoption to help save some of the world's most endangered animals from extinction and support WWF's conservation efforts. Giraffes, the world’s tallest land mammals and a majestic sight in zoos and reserves everywhere, are being threatened with extinction because of illegal hunting and a … Soon it looks as though children may have to learn of giraffes as being listed in Africa’s classification of ‘endangered’ species. Trade in giraffe parts is both legal and largely untracked in the United States because the government doesn’t currently recognize the species as endangered. Giraffes are susceptible to poaching as they are largely docile animals that are easy to kill and provide a lot of meat. If we don’t act now, future generations, may only see giraffes in encyclopedias and museums. The proposal would also enable authorities to collect international trade data for giraffes that would justify greater protections by both the members of CITES and other scientific and governmental bodies in the future. Giraffes with a longer neck also typically get to enjoy a higher rank within the social hierarchy, allowing them to dominate other males and, statistically, mate more frequently, giving them a “leg up” on transmitting those long-necked genes. REUTERS/Antony Njuguna. Now the U.S. government must catch up with the scientific consensus. The animal’s population was estimated to be about 27,000 until the 1990s, when poaching and other conflicts reduced the number to only about 3,000. That law covers any species that is “in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.”. While this cottage industry is a boon to many low-income workers, it’s a problem for giraffes, who rely on those trees for sustenance. The other endangered subspecies is the Rothschild’s giraffe, which is now considered part of the Nubian subspecies. Are giraffes endangered?Activity of people often has a very negative effect on life of other habitants of our planet. So, a year and a half later, the coalition sued. A primary contributor to the giraffes’ loss of habitat is conversion of woodlands into farms and ranches. Excellent for keeping a lookout for lions. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. So, if a giraffe was trying to reach leaves that were too high, it would be able to stretch and eventually lengthen its own neck to reach them. Females, according to researchers, also seem to prefer larger males with longer necks. Many animals are killed in order to feed those who hunt, but the demand from other countries for bush meat is also high (and much of which is actually exported to Europe and elsewhere). And an endangered listing would not altogether cancel out the struggle that federal authorities face in working with legal provisions that allow the importation of endangered species parts that are at least 100 years old. How Can I Protect Wildlife in My Community? Legally, not yet. One is the West African giraffe, which still has small numbers even though they have grown in recent years. Fish and Wildlife Service who have the power to grant protection to giraffes. So, as giraffes are distributed closer and further from the equator within Africa, they can be more specialized to withstand the direct sunlight they are subjected to during their long periods of open grazing. Similarly, the Nubian giraffe population is down 98 percent and lives only on protected lands in Kenya. Giraffes, large-bodied grazing mammals, need 140 pounds of leaves each day, necessitating their traverse over huge distances daily in order to get enough to eat. Jean Baptiste Lamarck used giraffes as an example of his theories, completely change the habitats around them, upgraded by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to “Vulnerable”, Why Is Genetic Diversity Important for Survival. How Can Endangered Species Be on Both IUCN’s Red List and the New Green List. In 2018, seven of the nine currently recognised subspecies were assessed and are now listed on the IUCN Red List. With just 97,500 of the world’s tallest animal remaining, conservationists are insisting the U.S. government officially classify giraffes as endangered in order to prevent their “silent extinction.” In addition to stopping the widespread trade in giraffe parts, it would direct funding to giraffe conservation and require U.S. government agencies to coordinate their activities to ensure that no federal action further imperils the species. Elly Pepper, deputy director of NRDC’s wildlife trade program, says giraffes are headed toward extinction. Illegal hunting is also a problem for the species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the gold standard for assessing endangerment, has found that giraffes are “vulnerable,” meaning they face a … In what’s being called a “silent extinction,” Giraffe population numbers dropped from 155,000 in 1985 to 97,000 in 2015, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Given that they’re one of the largest subspecies of giraffes, they’re the “quintessential” animal you likely think of when you think giraffes. In 2016, all four species of giraffe were upgraded by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to “Vulnerable” and two species in particular, the West African giraffe and the Rothschild’s giraffe, are now listed as “Endangered.”. In some countries, like Mali, the giraffe has disappeared completely. The hooves of an adult giraffe are approximately the size of your dinner plate. It’s important that U.S. authorities get moving. Currently the members of the convention are mulling over a proposal to list the species, brought forth by the giraffe range states of the Central African Republic, Chad, Kenya, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. Their legs and neck are not the only thing about the giraffe that’s huge – their tongues can be up to two feet long! An ESA listing would also shine a much needed spotlight on the plight of giraffes, a development that is less concrete but no less important than specific regulatory measures. To give you the simple answer, not all of them are on the endangered species list. At any given moment, even a modestly savvy internet shopper can find thousands of products made from giraffe parts online. The population overall has declined 40 percent in 30 years, and there are now approximately 68,000 left in the wild. Giraffes may look all the same, but in the wild, there are actually four species of giraffes: Though it has been reported that giraffes have cross-bred in zoos, all of these species and their subspecies live in very geographically distinct areas across the continent of Africa, and very infrequently overlap in the wild. African giraffes endangered. Most Endangered Giraffe Species. Giraffes have already become extinct in seven African countries, so, while it is hard to believe that such a well-known species could be removed from an ecosystem, it has already happened in many places. Finally, the robust international trade in giraffes and their parts—a trade in which the United States plays a significant role—is a major factor in the species’ decline. The endangered giraffe was rescued as a result of the rising lake levels which threatens the giraffe’s future. Having a long neck may make giraffes seem really cool on the outside, but the physiology underneath, helping it all work, makes it even more exceptional! In West Africa, giraffes are hunted for their tails, their pelts, and their meat. The remaining herds are fragmented and face a multitude of threats, from habitat loss to poaching. Baby giraffes are born already six feet tall. The ambitious rescue effort was a partnership with the Northern Rangelands Trust and the US nonprofit Save Giraffes Now although seven other giraffes remain on … One of the biggest sellers is giraffe bone, which has become a replacement for elephant ivory in knife and gun handles. Despite an increased focus on giraffe conservation in many of these zones, the wide distribution of giraffes across Africa makes their conservation plan complex at best. Not every scientist got it right, however. The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed giraffes as "vulnerable" in its 2016 "Red List" of endangered species and said their populations had fallen by … Africa's giraffe population has dropped by almost 40 percent in the past 30 years, dwindling to just more than 97,000 individuals — which may seem like a big number, but not in giraffes' case (just consider their huge range, for instance). Civil wars are a further challenge. The theory rests on the idea that the ability to not rely on high competition vegetation that was lower to the ground gave the giraffes with longer necks the ability to be be healthy, reproduce, and transmit those long-necked genes to their offspring. Never, ever buy giraffe products. 5. In 2018, seven of the nine currently recognised subspecies were assessed and are now listed on the IUCN Red List. Calls from their constituents will encourage them to pick up their own phones to help save these majestic animals. Giraffes are ubiquitous in our minds and hearts, as they have infiltrated our culture of imagination and wonder with their graceful splendor. Many giraffe populations are already severely fragmented, in addition to being at least 50 percent smaller than reported half a century ago in many regions. In the wild, giraffes have few predators aside from humans. Their conservation status was reclassified from a species of least concern to vulnerable in 2016 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature , in response to increased mortality rates brought on by habitat loss and illegal hunting. Though they have been known to be victims of crocodiles, it is not a common occurrence. According to the IUCN, both subspecies are “critically endangered,” which means they face an “extremely high risk” of extinction in the wild. Wild Tomorrow Fund is dedicated to the protection of threatened and endangered species and the habitats they depend on for survival. Masai giraffes are iconic, says Tanya Sanerib, international legal director for the Center for Biological Diversity. Greentumble is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. … And contact your representatives in Congress to let them know that you are concerned about the silent extinction crisis facing giraffes. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and update email soon. They are instantly recognizable. Support organizations, like NRDC, that are fighting to save giraffes, as well as on-the-ground organizations like the Giraffe Conservation Fund. Most giraffe species are currently endangered. Yes, giraffes are in danger, and scientifically they are considered endangered, but legally it is a different story. Each one of their cervical vertebrae is just longer. But why, since most species of giraffes live in similar landscapes? And finally it did bupkis. Two giraffe subspecies have been listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species for the first time. BACKGROUND Giraffes are a keystone African herbivore. Three of the nine giraffe subspecies are currently considered critically endangered. Recognition of their plight by the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) would also go a long way toward helping to save giraffes. Host Dan LeDuc speaks to two giraffe experts, ecologist David O’Connor and researcher Jenna Stacy-Dawes of the San Diego Zoo, who are trying to learn more about these mysterious animals and help giraffes rebound. Giraffes, the world’s tallest land mammals and a majestic sight in zoos and reserves everywhere, are being threatened with extinction because of illegal hunting and a decline in their natural habitat, a report says. Giraffes are not classified as an endangered species. A: Scientifically, yes. In the case of giraffes, we know that males have longer necks than females, and also engage in a male-male fighting over mates, referred to as “necking.”. Yet in nature, there is no other animal that seems to have used this same technique; no other species with an elongated neck. Current populations of the four species of giraffes are widely scattered and fragmented, and each population is subject to a variety of threats specific to its region. The agency was required by law to respond within 90 days. Now conducting the first comprehensive assessment on giraffes to be published next year, Fennessy said there’s been a drop of more than 40 percent in the … Giraffes have the biggest eyes among terrestrial mammals — their peripheral vision extends so wide that they can see behind themselves! The world’s tallest land mammals may be slipping toward extinction, with three of the nine subspecies of giraffes now in serious trouble and considered “critically endangered.” And, as human populations rise, the demand for meat will only cause further detriment to giraffe populations living in proximity. Let us know if you liked this article. Around ten years ago, a belief in the healing power of giraffe bone marrow and brains sprang up, with practitioners touting their ability to protect and cure people of HIV/AIDS. ” – a phrase that seems to be making headlines these days. The US Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted in 1973—signed into law by President Richard Nixon after passing the Senate by a vote of 92–0 and the House of Representatives by a vote of 390–12. Giraffes were recently added to the IUCN’s Endangered Species List, with several subspecies currently listed as critically endangered. In an attempt to raise awareness of the conservation of these incredible creatures, many media outlets are reporting that giraffes are becoming endangered in various parts of Africa. They are very well-known in the Western world, thanks their presence at zoos and the popularity of toys like Sophie the giraffe or Geoffrey the Giraffe, the mascot of the now-defunct chain, Toys ‘R Us, or April, the perpetually pregnant giraffe whose live birthing garnered millions of online viewers. (You can’t.). Sadly, it’s not just the meat that is in high demand. Many zoos have robust giraffe-specific conservation programs, and need support in particular because these species are not on the public’s radar as one that is in danger of going extinct. Its attackers should take note. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature states that the giraffe population has gone down by over 40% in the […] By the end of the XXI century giraffes may disappear entirely from the face of the Earth, BBC reported. Unfortunately these creature's tails are … In the 1990s the population was about 50 individuals, this came up to 175 in 2007, and as of 2016, there were estimated to be between 400 and 450 giraffes. And for some of the nine subspecies, this risk is imminent. Additionally, giraffes don’t actually have more cervical vertebrae in their necks than, say, humans. In just this revolutionary generation wherever highest governments are concentrating upon defending the pursuits of the enhancing inhabitants, own farming is the just technique in the direction of safeguarding endangered animal species. We will keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which implements the ESA, to recognize giraffes as endangered. Though many governments are enacting new habitat management and protection for giraffes through conservation initiatives and improved law enforcement, community awareness is still struggling to keep up. NRDC conservation expert Sylvia Fallon offers tips for being a better neighbor to local animals. Inspirational are Giraffes Endangered – Productive legal guidelines in opposition to poaching ought to be brought into teach. This is really no surprise when you look at their distinctive lanky long legs and necks. A giraffe’s heart has to generate nearly double the normal blood pressure of other mammals to give the giraffe’s brain adequate blood supply. Then it did zilch. Yet as Elly Pepper, deputy director of NRDC’s wildlife trade program, notes, “giraffes clearly qualify under the Endangered Species Act” (ESA). Giraffes are facing a silent extinction. It is hard to imagine that they are not equally abundant in the wild, but the assumption that they are and the subsequent lack of public support for conservation programs to save them is putting the survival of the giraffe across Africa in jeopardy. Instead it did nothing. Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) live in southern and eastern Africa, with small, ... (Thryophilus sernai), and as such, the IUCN listed the species as "endangered." New reports show giraffes have suffered a massive 40 percent decline in wild populations since 1985, but still have absolutely no international protections. Giraffes are curiously ungainly animals. So here’s a look at 50 fascinating facts about Giraffes, including the most common subspecies, their diets, and what’s being done to save them. Still, putting giraffes on the endangered species list would go a long way to help them. Are giraffes going to extinct? There are situations in which trade in giraffe parts might still be permitted, such as for use in research, education, and activities to help propagate the species. Famously, early evolutionary biologist Jean Baptiste Lamarck used giraffes as an example of his theories, that, if an animal needed to adapt to suit its environment, it could do so within its own lifetime. The fate of Achatinella apexfulva is a cautionary tale of decorative gardens, imported cannibals, and snail sex (or lack thereof). But what could come as a surprise to most people is the answer to the question, “Are giraffes endangered?” Several types of giraffes have been added to the endangered species list, according to International Union for Conservation of Nature. In the wild, they can be found in a number of differently protected areas, from government-run national parks to private or communal lands. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. Protect giraffes under the Endangered Species Act. Their conservation status was reclassified from a species of least concern to vulnerable in 2016 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature , in response to increased mortality rates brought on by habitat loss and illegal hunting. Most people assume that giraffes are a single species, and many companies will only recognize the animals as a single species. Giraffe’s spots are most importantly for camouflage, but they also house a sophisticated system of blood vessels that help the giraffe to release heat. Giraffes can still be found in 21 African countries, and in zoos in almost every part of the world. We are working hard to improve our content. Because conservation is working—and success should be celebrated. Part of the reason why giraffes have suffered from such a drastic decline is simply because no one was really paying attention. It is hard to believe, but the giraffes, which we are accustomed to seeing, are recently found to be an endangered species. If you're a fan of giraffes, you may have heard reports that the long-necked animal's population has been declining in recent years. Yes, giraffes are in danger, and scientifically they are considered endangered, but legally it is a different story. Of the threats facing the planet’s tallest mammals, habitat loss is one of the gravest. © Natural Resources Defense Council 2020 Privacy Policy Their physiology — their height and long necks — is so interesting that it has inspired centuries of scientists, trying to figure out what environmental events caused the giraffe to end up looking like it does. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. “Giraffes are undergoing a silent extinction, having declined 40 percent over the past 30 years, though few seem to know this,” Pepper says. Please tell Congress to defend this crucial law. STICK YOUR NECK OUT FOR GIRAFFE CONSERVATION . Giraffes occur in countries with the highest fertility rates in the world, so human encroachment is a threat that will only continue to grow. Giraffe babies, or calves, often fall prey to herds of carnivores, but, for the most part, giraffes are safe within their natural ecosystem. A giraffe stands at the Nairobi National Park April 19, 2007. But what could come as a surprise to most people is the answer to the question, “Are giraffes endangered?” State Disclosures. Three of the nine giraffe subspecies are currently considered critically endangered. Story: Giraffes are dying, and experts are trying to figure out why. According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, there were an estimated 140,000 giraffes in African in 1999, but the number has declined to less than 80,000 giraffes today. Severed giraffe heads and bones can fetch up to $140 each, making this a highly tempting option for potential poachers. What is the key to their success?https://t.co/179Z5AnYTw pic.twitter.com/Qw7hXuBBQK. Giraffes used to range continuously through much of the African savanna, but they now live in a handful of communities scattered in clumps across the continent. It is also believed that giraffes’ tall vantage point and excellent vision help them to spot danger early, and gives other herbivores in the area the “heads up” when carnivores are coming. While traversing the landscape to feed all day, they are in actuality pruning and distributing seeds across the terrain, helping to keep the habitat managed for other wildlife to use. 41. We Made It Only Two Days Into the New Year Before a Species Went Extinct, Week 114: Trump’s EPA Questions if Air Pollution Really Kills (It Does), and Nearly 1,400 Endangered Species Get Sold Out, Poachers Abuse an International-Law Loophole to Sell Some of the Rarest Animals on Earth. In an attempt to raise awareness of the conservation of these incredible creatures, many media outlets are reporting that giraffes are becoming endangered in various parts of Africa. Giraffes, once plentiful throughout Africa, have plummeted close to extinction in some regions. In the 1980s, it was estimated that about 150,000 total giraffes lived in the wild, but today, not even 40 years later, that number has dropped by 40 percent Africa-wide. In Niger, where many giraffes have been struck by cars, the population is so small and isolated that conservation officials have taken the drastic step of transporting some of the animals to a safer space. In actuality, it was his theories that were a bit of a stretch. Giraffes in Danger of Extinction: Why Their Numbers Have Dropped ... two have recently been categorized as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List, … Why Are Giraffes Becoming Endangered? “ Giraffes Endangered! The planet’s tallest animal is now facing a threat of potentially being wiped off the face of the earth with two subspecies listed as "critically endangered" for the first time. In general, giraffes are classified as vulnerable (the scale goes: least concern, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, extinct in the wild, extinct). Six African nations are pushing to regulate the international trade in giraffes under the U.N. Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which meets from Aug. 17 to 28 in Geneva. May 2018. Having such a long neck isn’t all easy, though. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. The West African giraffe is classified as endangered although conservation efforts have brought the numbers from near-extinction. For example, the United States’ Endangered Species Act grants protections to animals at the species level, which means giraffes are not considered endangered by … But as human population numbers rise, and settlements are established that require the cutting of trees, habitat loss becomes a huge threat to all species of giraffe. Their proposal would ensure that all traded giraffe parts were legally acquired and not taken from poached giraffes. Are Giraffes Endangered? Thanks for signing up. Standard giraffe pregnancies last 15 months, but the period of time is not set as it is for humans. When CITES confers conservation status on a species, it restricts the international trade in that creature. But as the giraffe's numbers continue to dive, officials at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to consider Endangered Species Act protections for Africa’s rapidly dwindling giraffe population. It is therefore surprising that people know so little about them, or that their survival in the wild is so threatened. The complex blood pressure system that the giraffe uses to regulate its gangly body has actually been used as inspiration by NASA in their development of human space suits. They have the ability to completely change the habitats around them. There is a newer hypothesis that addresses these questions and also reminds us that the ability to find a mate is not always reliant on our ability to feed ourselves, but to be attractive to the opposite sex. Giraffes eat about 140 pounds of food every day, all consisting of leaves. Six African nations are pushing to regulate the international trade in giraffes under the UN Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which meets from August 17 to 28 in Geneva. For example, the Kordofan giraffe has lost 90 percent of its population since the late 1980s and is down to just 2,000 individuals in the wild. Giraffes are not classified as an endangered species. While heavy machinery keeps spraying #monocrops with #pesticides and #fertilizers, millions of #family #farmers are applying agroecological approaches to redress those impacts and revive #rural areas. WHY ARE GIRAFFES ENDANGERED? Yes, giraffes are, sadly, going extinct. The West African Giraffe came close to extinction. DONATE. Elly Pepper, deputy director of NRDC’s Wildlife Trade Initiative, says there’s much that U.S. advocates can do to end the illegal marketplaces endangering animals across the globe. Giraffes face mounting threats from habitat loss and fragmentation: Growing human populations and urban development — and the accompanying increase in agriculture, mines, and other extractive industries — are destroying giraffes' homes and converting their habitat for human use. And, of course, spreading the word about the marvels of the giraffe, extending past just its long neck. Giraffes are probably one of the easiest animals to identify all around the world. Charcoal is another challenge: Africa’s charcoal industry is booming, with many Africans making their living harvesting trees and burning the wood to form the lumpy black fuel. Where its power derives is in the thickness of the muscles around its heart, which can be measured getting thicker as the size of the giraffe increases and its blood supply demands grow. “Giraffes Endangered!” – a phrase that seems to be making headlines these days. If you explained it through the application of a basic Darwinian methodology, the giraffes developed a unique ecological niche through the evolution of a long neck by experiencing gradual anatomical changes that allowed them to reach resources, in this case, leaves, that were higher and unattainable to other species. Both males and females are born with their ossicones but they lie flat at birth and are not attached to the skull in order to avoid injury to themselves and the mother, fusing to the skull as they grow older. Though it was thought that the giraffe has a “huge” heart to accomplish all this pumping and beating, it actually has a relatively small heart. Six African nations are pushing to regulate the international trade in giraffes under the U.N. Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which meets from Aug. 17 to 28 in Geneva. Adopt a giraffe. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week that they are considering adding giraffes to the endangered … As poachers and oil drills threaten a recently war-torn national park, a team of rangers and scientists send an endangered herd on an epic journey. Poaching also plays a major role in the decline, particularly in Tanzania, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and which actually forms a more disturbing part of a wider issue. Giraffes are probably one of the easiest animals to identify all around the world. Their extinction would be tragic enough by itself, but if the reason was that no one was looking hard enough, it would not only be tragic but shameful. Legal Action Initiated to Speed Endangered Species Act Protections for Giraffes WASHINGTON— Conservation and animal-protection groups today filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. LOS ANGELES -- The United States government is one step closer to protecting giraffes under the Endangered Species Act following years of precipitous population decline. As National Geographic noted, over the past 30 years, the Masai giraffe population went down by almost 50 percent, while the total giraffe population went down by about 40 percent. Those are the Kordofan, Nubian, and Masai subspecies. Two subspecies (Kordofan and Nubian giraffe), are now listed as Critically Endangered, Reticulated giraffe as Endangered, Thornicroft’s giraffe as Vulnerable, while Angolan giraffe … It’s not just one thing which contributes to such a decline but a combination of complex factors which must be considered together to understand the full picture. This is really no surprise when you look at their distinctive lanky long legs and necks. Habitat destruction is the leading reason Giraffes are endangered. Female giraffes give birth standing up, so infants are born, falling about five feet to the ground. The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, How can you tell the difference between a captive-bred turtle and a wild-caught one? Daniel Wallis. Giraffe numbers plummeted by a staggering 40% in the last three decades, and less than 100,000 remain today. Giraffe Poaching The biggest effect of giraffes’ listing under the ESA would be a severe curtailing of importation and trade within the country. Two subspecies (Kordofan and Nubian giraffe), are now listed as Critically Endangered, Reticulated giraffe as Endangered, Thornicroft’s giraffe as … “There are fewer giraffes left on this planet than African elephants.”. Giraffes are in serious trouble. While giraffes don’t live in the wild in the United States, Pepper adds that “there are steps the government must take under the terms of U.S. law to protect them.” It’s important to acknowledge the iconic mammals are a favorite trophy target of hunters traveling to Africa; U.S. hunters imported 3,744 dead giraffes between 2006 and 2015. The most endangered giraffe species is the Giraffe Camelopardalis reticulate found in Kenya, Somali, and Ethiopia. The blood vessels in the giraffe’s lower legs bear a huge weight, and the giraffe has developed a complex pressure regulation system to keep all these factors in check. Recently, scientist added to the Red Members of Congress have a direct line of communication with decision makers at the U.S. Giraffes, which inhabit numerous countries across Africa, have seen their population steadily decrease and are considered “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of … Of the nine subspecies of giraffes, Masai and reticulated giraffes are endangered, and Nubian and Kordofan giraffes are critically endangered. Also known as the Nigerien giraffe, the West … It may seem like all giraffes have the same mosaic-like patchwork pattern on their skin, but giraffe experts know that each one of the species of giraffe has their own design. Some giraffe populations critically endangered, while others recover - … Horns: Giraffes horns are actually known as ossicones and are found in both males and females, they are formed from ossified cartilage and covered in skin and hair. A giraffe’s blood pressure is extremely high – twice that found in a healthy human, and its heart beats up to 170 times per minute. Sudan, which was home to some 13,000 giraffes in the early 1980s, now shelters a population numbering only in the hundreds; its war has increased wildlife trafficking and poaching. Those are the Kordofan, Nubian, and Masai subspecies. Giraffes are endangered because people hunt them for there skin meat and bones but poachers are hunting to many giraffes so they don't have enough time to repopulate. Then it did nada.