Giraffes could gain endangered species protections under US proposal
A tower of Nubian giraffes. Photo used by USFWS with permission from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing that giraffes be added to the endangered species list due to their declining populations caused by poaching, habitat loss and climate change.
If passed, the protection will be for three subspecies of the northern giraffe from west, central and East Africa. The service said two species, the southern giraffe (Angolan and South African), should not be considered endangered but should be treated as a threatened subspecies.
The service is proposing to protect the following:
- West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes as endangered.
- Reticulated giraffe as threatened.
- Masai giraffe as threatened.
Officials said the populations for the three subspecies have declined approximately 77% since 1985, from 25,653 to 5,919 individuals. They add that the species has been extirpated from numerous countries in West Africa with only 690 West African giraffes remaining.
RELATED: New monster tarantula species is 'hairy giant among dwarves'
"Federal protections for giraffes will help protect a vulnerable species, foster biodiversity, support ecosystem health, combat wildlife trafficking, and promote sustainable economic practices," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams, said in a news release. "This action supports giraffe conservation while ensuring the United States does not contribute further to their decline."
Officials said the giraffes in question would benefit from the protection by:
- Reducing illegal hunting and trade of giraffes by requiring permits for import into the U.S.
- Increasing funding for species conservation in its range countries, research efforts to address conservation needs and U.S. and global awareness about the decline in giraffes.
- Providing limited financial assistance to develop and manage programs to conserve giraffes.
The service said giraffes are the tallest living terrestrial animal on earth. They feed off of leaves, stems, flowers and fruits. They can also easily adapt to a variety of environments, but are most found savanna and woodland habitats and always near trees or bushes.
Public comments are currently being accepted here.