http://www.nydailynews.com/new...ps-article-1.2031711


African giraffe faces extinction after population drops 40%: report

Giraffa camelopardalis could face the same chance at extinction as the black rhino, mountain gorilla and African elephant as its numbers dwindle across Africa. The species has lost about 40% of its population — which now stands at about 80,000 to poaching and hunting.


BY NICOLE HENSLEY NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Wednesday, December 3, 2014, 12:36 PM



Preliminary research shows 40% of the giraffe population in Africa has been lost due to poaching and hunting.
Giraffes, the tall but graceful icons of the African savannah, are at risk for extinction because of poaching and hunting, reports suggest.

Giraffa camelopardalis has long been listed as a “least concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but that could change as the species lost 40% of its population, according to The Independent.

Zealous hunting of the gentle creatures has put them at risk already seen by the black rhino, mountain gorilla and African elephant, all of which are critically endangered.

“There are nine different races and we’re probably going to lose some of them. It’s a terrible situation. They could become extinct,” Canadian giraffe expert Dr. Anne Dagg told The Times.

A preliminary count by IUCN found less than 80,000 of giraffes roaming Africa, which is a significant drop from the 140,000 recorded in 1999. The species not only faces habitat degradation in North Africa, but threats from military conflicts in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, according to the UK-based conservation group’s website.

The species’ endangered classification will be reassessed next year, The Independent reported.

nhensley@nydailynews.com

http://www.independent.co.uk/n...ts-warn-9901083.html


News > World > Africa
African giraffes may face extinction as numbers 'plummet', leading conservationists warn

Giraffe experts have warned that a lack of attention and resources have seriously affected numbers of Africa's iconic mammal

ROSE TROUP BUCHANAN Author Biography Wednesday 03 December 2014


Giraffes, the gentle giants of the African plain, could be facing extinction as Conservationists warn that poachers and bush meat hunters are causing their numbers to “plummet”.

The overall number of giraffes has fallen by 40 per cent in the last 15 years, reducing the 140,000 giraffe population in Africa to fewer than 80,000.

In comparison, according to new research, there are roughly 450,000 African Elephants. These animals are classed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as a species that ‘faces a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.’

Giraffe Conservation Foundation's (GCF) Executive Director and Conservation Scientist Dr Julian Fennessy told The Independent: “Giraffe numbers across their range are plummeting with a few exceptions.”

The GCF has examined giraffe numbers over the past five years, concluding that unlike many other iconic African animals – such as lions or elephants – there has been no sustained attempt to protect giraffes.

“This trend is alarming and we have to act now to turn this situation around while it is still possible,” he said.

Many species of giraffe are so distinct as to be classed as a species in their own right – as has happened to the endangered mountain gorilla.

If the West African giraffe was granted similar protection the animal would immediately become the most endangered large mammal in Africa.

Dr Anne Dagg, a leading Canadian expert, added her voice to those calling for greater protection for the animal, labelling the situation faced by the long-limbed herbivores, “incredibly awful”.


“There are nine different races and we’re probably going to lose some of them. It’s a terrible situation. They could become extinct,” she told The Times.

Two of these sub-species are already protected by the IUCN Red List, which lists them as ‘least concern’, but adds: “A recent preliminary population estimate suggests a decline in the total population has taken place which, if substantiated, could mean that the species will warrant listing in a higher category of threat.”

The assessment continues that although some sub-species appear to be increasing, others are in a “more precarious position”. The entire species could be reclassified under an audit to be completed next year.

In 2010 a comprehensive assessment of giraffe numbers was abandoned because of lack of resources.

It is believed that numbers of the gentle herd animal are plummeting thanks to locals hunting the docile animal for their flesh, and poachers who sell the heads of the animal for a high price.

Additionally, some Tanzanians believe that the bone marrow and flesh of a giraffe can cure Aids.

What a crock of crap ! The only areas where giraffe are in trouble are areas where they have lost their habitat. Giraffe breed readily and in most hunting areas they are doing quite well.

Human expansion seems inevitable. The only thing that slows the encroachment into wilderness areas is making theses areas pay off economically. Hunting has proven itself the most viable option for this.

This is just another twisted bunch of statistical garbage to promote the antis agenda.

quote:

Zealous hunting of the gentle creatures has put them at risk already seen by the black rhino, mountain gorilla and African elephant, all of which are critically endangered.

Gee, I had no idea the African elephant was "critically endangered". Silly me.

I was going to say " what a load of bull shit".
But crock of crap works just as well!

This is TOTAL BULLSHIT! I've been on 5 African safaris - nobody in camp has shown any interest in shooting one. Were present they roam around almost fearless of humans. I suppose poachers kill some, but sports hunters must kill very few.

What concerns me more is the pervasiveness of OUTRIGHT LYING in our society. Unmitigated lying and lawlessness will be our undoing.

I bet that less than 300 are killed each year by hunters. Probably losing their habitat because the near extinct elephants keep knocking down their trees

Notice how some stupid woman in New York started it, and suddenly picked up by another stupid woman in London??

Us hunters are a very easy target.

Sadly, the ignorance of the general public is so bad they believe anything they read!

Its embarrassing having these woman share a planet with me !!
Whilst we all accept this to be a load of crock, its the millions of uninformed who will create the uneducated stink and AGAIN portray us hunters as the bad ones !!!

We accept it and move along, perturbed but happy in our minds that we know the truth. In reality we need to fight back - just how we do it is the challenge.

These guys don't tell the same story.

http://www.giraffeconservation...our_news.php?pgid=54

I've no doubt that if you did s google or farcebook search on 'giraffe' you'll find organisations dedicated to the preservation of our long necked friends and then endless flaky bastards will be setting up NGOs/charities dedicated to the same cause and each of 'em will have a board of directors with each director copping a ginormous salary.......... Gotta love the charity business!

The last no agenda study showed African Elephant populations over 1.2 million, and thousands more animals dying for lack of forage areas available than from poachers and sport hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
I've no doubt that if you did s google or farcebook search on 'giraffe' you'll find organisations dedicated to the preservation of our long necked friends and then endless flaky bastards will be setting up NGOs/charities dedicated to the same cause and each of 'em will have a board of directors with each director copping a ginormous salary.......... Gotta love the charity business!

So lets set up a charity/NGO--I could go to africa on feeble minded tree huggers dollars once or twice a year---Just to check on things.

Sadly, there is no shortage of absolutely crooked so called "charities" or so called "journalists"!

How I wish they both go extinct!

^^^^^
+1

Yes. I could even donate to that.

quote:

Additionally, some Tanzanians believe that the bone marrow and flesh of a giraffe can cure Aids.

Um, giraffe bones have almost zero marrow, that's why knife makers like to use them for handles. I assume they have developed haemopoetic organs elsewhere (the giraffes, not the knife makers).