Over the past three decades, giraffe populations have endured what scientists call a “silent extinction.” Recent studies indicate there’s hope.
Giraffes are some of the most recognizable creatures on the planet. With their soaring height, illustrious spotted coats, and crane-like necks; it’s hard for a giraffe to go unnoticed. And yet, giraffes have somehow slipped under the conservation radar.
Over the last three decades, giraffe populations have fallen by an alarming 40%, leading to what some people refer to as the “silent extinction.” Once in the millions, there are now only 117,000 giraffes left in the wild — fewer than the African elephant. Of the four giraffe species, three are considered ENDANGERED, and two subspecies critically endangered.
How many are left?
- 45,400 Masai giraffes (Endangered)
- 11,048 reticulated giraffes (Endangered)
- 10,173 Angolan giraffes (Least Concern)
- 1,400 Kordofan giraffes (Critically Endangered)
- 1,399 Rothschild’s giraffes (Near threatened)
- 455 Nubian giraffes (Critically Endangered)
- 425 West African giraffes (Vulnerable)
- 420 Thornicroft’s giraffes (Vulnerable)
What are their biggest threats?
- Loss of habitat — Increased resource exploration, land fragmentation, and civil unrest restrict giraffes’ range.
- Poaching and trophy hunting — Giraffes have become a popular “new exotic” in international markets, increasing demand for sport hunting and illegal trade.
- Drought — Thousands of animals, including nearly 100 Masai giraffes, died from the region’s worst drought in four decades.
- Human conflict — As watering holes and rivers dry up, giraffes move into human-populated areas in search of water.
Giraffes are remarkably resilient creatures. Some populations have shown hopeful signs of rebound and some conservation efforts, including translocation, are proving to be effective. But without further research and conservation, the future of these gentle giants remains uncertain.
This WORLD GIRAFFE DAY, help giraffes be heard. Set up a monthly donation to support giraffes and other endangered species.
