Conservation Status

A Tall Order: The Conservation of Giraffes

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened animals, which evaluates species’ risks of extinction, classifies giraffes as low risk “conservation dependent.” In other words, special conservation efforts are needed for the giraffe species to live on into the future. Though giraffes are not currently endangered, their numbers have declined over the years, with several subspecies becoming increasingly rare. For example there are only 400 Rothschild giraffes, and 445 Uganda giraffes remaining in the wild today! 

Uganda giraffe and newborn  

Sadly, big time hunters travel far distances and pay thousands of dollars to experience hunting a giraffe, a practice known as trophy hunting. In some African countries, this controversial, but legal practice actually helps the community financially and provides food for the people. Although poaching negatively affects the giraffe population, habitat loss and destruction from human construction is the biggest danger to giraffes and other animals in Africa. As the human population grows, giraffe territory is taken over, resulting in giraffe extinction in numerous countries. Luckily, the majority of humans admire this peaceful animal and are awed by their appearance, which means giraffes are never killed by humans out of fear. Additionally, farmers typically do not mind giraffes because they do not eat their crops or compete with their cattle for food.

The future livelihood of this unique animal rests in conservation efforts of giraffe habitats in the wild and on private land. Various organizations, like the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, have made it their missions to work against giraffe extinction in the future.

Interesting fact of the week: Sadly, the Nigerian giraffe has actually become extinct in Nigeria! These giraffes can only be found in Chad. 

Works Cited

"Conservation Status." Born Free: Keep Wildlife in the Wild. Born Free Foundation. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. 

                      <http://www.bornfree.org.uk/ animals/giraffe/conservation/>.

"Giraffe - The Facts." GCF Home. Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.giraffeconservation.org/giraffe_facts.phppgid=51>.

"Giraffe." National Zoo. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/AfricanSavanna/fact-giraffe.cfm>.

"Mammals: Giraffe." San Diego Zoo's Animal Bytes: Giraffe. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-giraffe.html>.