Nubian giraffe
There’s a new concern for giraffe subspecies, especially Nubian Giraffes that have the scientific name Giraffa Camelopardalis subspecies Camelopardalis because they have been listed as ‘Vulnerable’ since 2016, but now, in 2018, they are listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUNC Red List, according to the GCF (Giraffe Conservation Foundation). Dr. Julian Fennessy, director of GCF, comments “Whilst giraffe are commonly seen on safari, in the media, and in zoos, people – including conservationists – are unaware that these majestic animals are undergoing a silent extinction. While giraffe populations in southern Africa are doing just fine, the world’s tallest animal is under severe pressure in some of its core ranges across East, Central and West Africa. It may come as a shock that three of the currently recognized nine subspecies are now considered ‘Critically Endangered’ or ‘Endangered’, but we have been sounding the alarm for a few years now.” Even though Nubian Giraffes are not the only subspecies that’s in trouble, I feel it’s important to focus on one species at a time. These animals currently inhabit Southern Sudan and Western Ethiopia with a population of only 2,645 which could have gone down, according to the GCF. These gentle creatures have been under a watchful eye for years now and they’re numbers are rapidly dropping which could mean bad news for the ecosystem.
These beautiful animals deserve to be saved and there are efforts to help them. Nubian Giraffes are mainly going extinct due to poaching, as with many animals in that area, but the GCF comments “Habitat loss and changes through expanding agriculture and mining, illegal hunting, increasing human-wildlife conflict, and civil unrest are all factors that are pushing giraffe towards extinction.” Giraffes are an important part of the food chain and utilize high leaves that other animals cannot reach. They also act as a warning sign to other animals, warning them of predators. But how do we save animals who have been in decline for so long? Well, there are websites like the GCF and the Defenders Of Wildlife that spread the word and update the public about what’s going on with all species of giraffes. The Defenders of Wildlife suggests to write to government leaders, keep updated, and it’s even possible to adopt a giraffe that saves one in real life! That can be done on The Defenders of Wildlife and the GCFs’ websites. Giraffes have always been in decline and now we need to save them once and for all.
These beautiful animals deserve to be saved and there are efforts to help them. Nubian Giraffes are mainly going extinct due to poaching, as with many animals in that area, but the GCF comments “Habitat loss and changes through expanding agriculture and mining, illegal hunting, increasing human-wildlife conflict, and civil unrest are all factors that are pushing giraffe towards extinction.” Giraffes are an important part of the food chain and utilize high leaves that other animals cannot reach. They also act as a warning sign to other animals, warning them of predators. But how do we save animals who have been in decline for so long? Well, there are websites like the GCF and the Defenders Of Wildlife that spread the word and update the public about what’s going on with all species of giraffes. The Defenders of Wildlife suggests to write to government leaders, keep updated, and it’s even possible to adopt a giraffe that saves one in real life! That can be done on The Defenders of Wildlife and the GCFs’ websites. Giraffes have always been in decline and now we need to save them once and for all.
sources
“What You Can Do to Help Giraffes.” Defenders of Wildlife, 9 Oct. 2012, defenders.org/giraffe/what-you-can-do.
“IUCN Red List Update.” Giraffe Conservation Foundation, 14 Nov. 2018, giraffeconservation.org/2018/11/14/giraffe-subspecies-update/.
“IUCN Red List Update.” Giraffe Conservation Foundation, 14 Nov. 2018, giraffeconservation.org/2018/11/14/giraffe-subspecies-update/.