Add Northern & Reticulated Giraffe to Endangered Species List
- by: Nerudo Chigubu
- recipient: International Union for Conservation of Nature, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and African Wildlife Foundation
It was recently discovered that there are in fact 4 species of giraffe, which divides the total population of 90,000 animals into 4 subsets. The Northern giraffe, and its 3 subspecies, the Kordofan, Namibian, and West African, has a combined population of less than 5,000 animals. The Kordofan giraffe is being hunted for its tail, which is a status symbol. It is estimated there are 2,000 left, but only 38 living individuals have been documented. The Reticulated giraffe, currently listed as vulnerable, has roughly 8,000 individuals in the wild. Their population has dropped by 80% due to habitat loss and poaching. Giraffe are listed, all together, as a species of least concern when in reality, there are two subsets with LESS THAN 10,000 animals each. These majestic creatures need our help! Enlist the Northern giraffe (and subspecies) and Reticulated giraffe as INDIVIDUALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES! Ensure their protection and enforce harsher punishments for poaching before we lose two species of the world's tallest animal. To IUCN, add them to your Red List as soon as possible! To IFAW, safeguard these populations and preserve their habitats! The giraffe is in more trouble than we were led to believe, some of these African icons are on the brink of extinction. An ENTIRE SPECIES of giraffe has less than 5,000 animals!!! Let us join together and ensure a future for these magnificent giants, let us make their conservation a priority.
It was recently discovered that there are in fact 4 species of giraffe, which divides the total population of 90,000 animals into 4 subsets. The Northern giraffe, and its 3 subspecies, the Kordofan, Namibian, and West African, has a combined population of less than 5,000 animals. The Kordofan giraffe is being hunted for its tail, which is a status symbol. It is estimated there are 2,000 left, but only 38 living individuals have been documented. The Reticulated giraffe, currently listed as vulnerable, has roughly 8,000 individuals in the wild. Their population has dropped by 80% due to habitat loss and poaching. Giraffe are listed, all together, as a species of least concern when in reality, there are two subsets with LESS THAN 10,000 animals each. These majestic creatures need our help! Enlist the Northern giraffe (and subspecies) and Reticulated giraffe as INDIVIDUALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES! Ensure their protection and enforce harsher punishments for poaching before we lose two species of the world's tallest animal. To IUCN, add them to your Red List as soon as possible! To IFAW, safeguard these populations and preserve their habitats! The giraffe is in more trouble than we were led to believe, some of these African icons are on the brink of extinction. An ENTIRE SPECIES of giraffe has less than 5,000 animals!!! Let us join together and ensure a future for these magnificent giants, let us make their conservation a priority.
