Saturday December 26, 2009
Local News

Momella giraffes 'have no tails'


MARC NKWAME in Arusha, 26th December 2009

A STRANGE phenomenon has been observed at Momella National Park -- most giraffes in the wildlife sanctuary either have their tails missing or have stumps.

Even more strange is the assumption that the problem may have been caused by the 'absence of lions' in the park. This assumption is floated by wildlife experts in the Arusha National Park, which is also known as Momella.

"When there are no ferocious predators in any park only a few animals are killed. In this case, there will be no carcasses lying around and thus hyenas get too little food," Mr Bosco Kessy Atanasio, a warden at the park explained.

"With no carcasses to feed upon, hyenas eventually zero in on giraffes and snap at their tails whenever an opportunity presents itself," says Mr Atanasio. Packs of hyenas attack giraffes by jumping and snapping at their tails before eventually being kicked away by the tall animals (giraffes).

Most hyenas have been succeeding in biting off giraffe tails at Arusha National Park which explains why most of the tall and majestic animals nowadays go without tails or spot very short ones at their rears.

The giraffe has the longest tail of any land mammal. The appendages can stretch to 8 feet (2.4 metres) long, including the tuft on the end.

As for their lifespan, experts say that a wild giraffe will normally only live for five years in the wilderness. Their demise is normally brought about by drought, predators, and human interference.

In other areas poachers have been reported to kill giraffes for their tails. These illegal hunters then sell the tails or hides on black markets.

Some tribal settings have been known to braid their hair using giraffe tail hair. In some cases giraffe tail hair is used in making bracelets which are sold to tourists.