https://www.humanesociety.org/...ure-protect-giraffes



Press Release October 12, 2021

Lawsuit challenges federal government’s failure to protect giraffes

Imported giraffe bones, skins, trophies flood U.S. as Fish and Wildlife Service does nothing to stop it

WASHINGTON—Conservation and animal protection groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to propose critical Endangered Species Act protections for Africa’s rapidly dwindling giraffe population. Each year, giraffe parts including bones and skins are imported into the U.S. to be turned into home décor, frivolous accessories and fashion.

The Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society International and the Humane Society of the United States petitioned for giraffe protections in April 2017, but the Service has not taken action, blowing past its legal deadline, which was in April 2018. Today’s lawsuit, filed in federal court in the District of Columbia, challenges the Service’s failure to make this critical determination as required by law.

“As giraffes face a silent extinction, it’s shocking and sad that federal officials are punting on protections for these desperately imperiled animals,” said Tanya Sanerib, international legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “The U.S. market is flooded with products made with giraffe bones and skins, from knife handles and saltshakers to rugs and pillows. It’s past time we halt these gruesome imports to help save everyone’s favorite long-necked mammal.”

With fewer than 69,000 mature individuals remaining in the wild, giraffe populations have dropped nearly 40% because of habitat loss, civil unrest, poaching and human-caused habitat changes. The international trade in bone carvings, skins and trophies puts additional pressure on these iconic animals.

Adam Peyman, wildlife programs director for Humane Society International, speaking on behalf of Humane Society International and the Humane Society of the United States, said: “It is tragic that the U.S. is a top importer and seller of giraffe parts—heads, legs, feet, tails, skin—and a leading contributor to the species’ threat of extinction. It is the responsibility of the Fish and Wildlife Service to stop this horrific trade and provide the long overdue protection that these animals deserve, before it is too late.”

Protection under the Endangered Species Act would help curb U.S. imports and sale of giraffe bones, trophies and other parts and increase funding for conservation efforts for the species. During a recent 10-year period, the United States imported more than one giraffe hunting trophy a day on average and more than 21,400 giraffe bone carvings. Many imported giraffe parts are turned into frivolous decorative items such as pillows, boots, Bible covers or jackets, as revealed by a 2018 Humane Society International/Humane Society of the United States undercover investigation.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature assessed giraffes as “vulnerable” to extinction in 2016 and classified two giraffe subspecies as “critically endangered” in 2018 and two more as endangered in 2018 and 2019.

Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species decided in 2019 to regulate international trade in giraffes—including trophies and other body parts—by requiring export permits based on scientific findings to ensure that the trade is non-detrimental. But several key exporting countries in Africa have announced that they do not intend to follow CITES requirements for giraffes.

Because CITES listing does not foreclose giraffe trade, and because of the species’ decline, it is crucial that conservation safeguards are in place in countries such as the United States that import giraffe body parts and create demand. Today’s lawsuit explains that Endangered Species Act protections would be a much-needed step toward reversing the decline of this iconic and irreplaceable species.

Is this not an Africa issue?

IMO the problems giraffe (and any other animal) are having:

Loss of habitat
Loss of habitat
Loss of habitat
Loss of habitat
Human/animal conflict
Poaching
Way down the list (at #500 or so) would be poorly managed sport hunting offtake.

While scientific research can make a difference in improving management of game, most of the problem while being human caused, isn’t hunting.

There are areas in Africa where giraffe are having problems.

There are areas in Africa where there is a surplus of giraffes.

This is an African country by country issue.

I would suggest that the Humane Society purchase property in the various African countries and care for their own herd of giraffe's.

I know a Namibian farmer/PH that was having a fire sale on giraffes as he simply had way too many. Very few American hunters wanted to hunt them due to the kindly perception towards them. I'm pretty sure he ended up culling them off.

Saw plenty in Tanzania this year, but they are Royal Game there and not hunted. Saw plenty in Namibia. Hard to believe there are only 69,000.

Every single giraffe running wild here in Pennsylvania is protected. How is it in other states?

Ah, yes. The US is a top source of demand for giraffe parts. I can't count the number of want ads I have seen for giraffe parts here in the USA. Literally. Because there is no counting to zero.

To use the Left's own words against them, these types of law are an expression of neo-colonialism as well as cultural imperialism. Most Leftists would be aghast to be seen in this light if it were anything else.

When you check the websites of the groups bringing these lawsuits or proposing these laws, you see the people behind it tend to be lily-white graduates of elite universities and law schools.

John,

I love your term "neo-colonialism". It's so descriptive.

On the one hand, it's imperative that all "enlightened" people and governments acknowledge that colonialism was wrong and these countries should be allowed to govern themselves, but they can't really let go and they continue to impose their will.

If the "more enlightened" countries disagree with what the African countries decide with respect to hunting and harvest quotas, they simply ban importation and effectively impose their will.

I'd like to hear Saaed's thoughts on this. Somehow, I feel like he'd agree with me.

I could not agree more. By the way, giraffes were all over the place in Botswana earlier this year. That 69,000 number must be far off the mark.

There were so many giraffes in Zim this summer that they interfered with the hunt. 69,000 must be way off.

The underlying population study has more detail.

"Some Giraffe populations are stable or increasing, while others are declining, and each population is subject to pressure from threats specific to their local country or region, but the species-level trend reveals an overall large decline in numbers across their range in Africa.

"Four major threats to Giraffes can be identified, although the severity and presence of these threats varies by region and population: (1) habitat loss (through deforestation, land use conversion, expansion of agricultural activities and human population growth) (2) civil unrest (ethnic violence, rebel militias, paramilitary and military operations), (3) illegal hunting (poaching), and (4) ecological changes (mining activity, habitat conversion to agriculture, climate-induced processes). In Southern Africa, the main perceived threats are habitat loss and conversion of land for human development, and illegal hunting. In West Africa, the main threats are habitat loss due to increasing human populations and human-wildlife conflict. In Eastern and Central Africa the main threats are habitat loss through rapid conversion of land for farming and increasing human populations, drought, illegal hunting for meat and hide, and armed conflict throughout unstable regions.

"Some of the highest human fertility rates in the world (>4%) occur in countries where Giraffes are present. Natural habitat changes from weather irregularities result in situations generating human movement, sometimes into protected, or semi-protected, areas. Drought conditions have become more common and increase the prospects of bush fires, loss of habitat, and human population movements. Substantial human population migration also characterizes regions and areas with military operations in giraffe habitats. In some countries (e.g., Namibia, South Africa) the hunting of Giraffes is legal, but Giraffe population sizes there are increasing; in other countries (e.g., Tanzania) the poaching of Giraffes is associated with declines in Giraffe population size. Habitat fragmentation and degradation are probably the most widespread and greatest threats to African wildlife, including Giraffes, often arising as a consequence of mineral extraction and/or habitat conversion to agricultural crops."

The Thornicroft Giraffe population is healthy and increasing in Zambia. They are not legally hunted.