Giraffes

Background
For many years there was thought to be only one species of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) with somewhere between six and nine subspecies.  Each subspecies of giraffes has been defined by differences in their spot patterns (pelage), number of horns (ossicones) and skull shapes.  There are striking differences in spot patterns between many giraffe subspecies.  For example the reticulated giraffes of northern Kenya have bold regular patterns compared to the jagged star-like patterns of the Masai giraffes of southern Kenya and Tanzania. 

Recent studies of the genetic differences between several giraffe subspecies across Africa indicate that there may actually be at least six distinct species and possibly more.  Some of the potential giraffe species, such as the Nigerian and Rothschilds giraffe, may be in danger of extinction and require serious conservation action to prevent their disappearance.  It is estimated that giraffe numbers have crashed across the continent (the International Giraffe Working Group suggest 30% decline in the last decade),  in particular West and Central Africa, Northern Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia in which there has been sustained armed conflict.  Interestingly, populations have been increasing in Southern Africa.  

The human aspect
Giraffes are one of the most iconic species on earth, revered by many across their natural range as a symbol of fertility, rain, strength and prosperity. Giraffe now have a greatly restricted range and occupy large tracts of land where there is an expanding human population. Although giraffe do not kill humans or livestock, there is increasing human-wildlife conflict linked to competition for food and water resources.  They are also easy sources of food, or even target practice in areas of civil upheaval.

As more is understood about giraffe speciation and ecology, each giraffe population may provide a potentially unique species of giraffe and as such a potential economic resource to local communities and conservation agencies.

Threats
Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and unsustainable hunting appear to be the major conservation threats to giraffes.  However, limited knowledge of the actual scale and impacts of such threats are unknown and need to be assessed.  We know very little about giraffe, let alone important factors to help drive their conservation and management. 

Important next steps

The International Giraffe Working Group has taken the initiative to develop an Africa-wide giraffe database (GiD) to enable a status report to be carried out.  In collaboration with giraffe range states, institutions and NGOs such as WCS, the IGWG will endeavor to develop the first comprehensive species assessment.  This data will then be used to develop conservation action plans and strategies at national and/or regional level, as well as for species/subspecies conservation and management.

The IGWG, Zambian Wildlife Authority, and WCS are teaming up to census the endemic Thornicroft's giraffe – a unique giraffe population that lives only in the Luagwa Valley of Zambia.  This giraffe group is potentially a unique species, but we do not know how may individuals there are or what the conservation status of the population is. 

The IGWG and WCS hope to census the Giraffe populations in Sudan as this was historically a very important refuge for giraffe populations and home to as many as four distinct giraffe subspecies (or species).  Although civil war has unfortunately had its impact, WCS researchers recently discovered that giraffes remained across Southern Sudan.  We hope to census these giraffe populations in more depth, assess their conservation status, and study the genetics of the populations.