Many people are unaware that the giraffe is in danger. According to a 2016 survey, there are less than 100,000 of the animals in the wild and over the last generation, almost 40% of the species has been lost. Many have called their slow disappearance, the "silent extinction."
One of the rarer subspecies is the Angolan giraffe which is numbered at around 13,000. Until recently, there were 20 of these endangered giraffes in captivity, now there is one less.
Last week, an inconsiderate and irresponsible zoogoer caused the death of a famous Angolan giraffe when they lured the giraffe into a ditch that separates its enclosure from the public.
Despite there being a sign asking visitors not to feed the animals right next to the enclosure, the zoogoer offered the animal food and it fell into the ditch where it died.
What makes the news even worse, is that the 11-year-old giraffe gave birth late last year, and while her calf is eating on its own, it still was very much dependent on its mother.
Police have identified the visitor in question but as of yet, he has not been charged. That is not acceptable. This person should be held accountable for causing the death of one of these rare and beautiful creatures.
Please sign the petition and ask the Polícia de Segurança Pública, the Portuguese police force, to charge the culprit and make sure justice is served in the name of the giraffe.
