In recent years, trophy hunting has received much spotlight amongst conservationists and activists alike. The African Big Five, in particular, elephants and lions, have been the primary focus of these intense discussions. This became more prevalent after elephants were downgraded on the IUCN Red List For Threatened Species. However, one species has been a silent victim of excessive trophy hunting and habitat degradation. Giraffes, the world’s tallest terrestrial mammal, is on a highway to extinction. Unfortunately, despite alarm bells being rung across the world, conservation efforts to save giraffes remain lethargic.
Giraffes are most easily identified by their long necks, horn-like ossicones and distinct coat patterns. They are known to inhabit the woodlands and savannas of sub-saharan Africa. The species is classified in the taxonomic family of Giraffidae. There is only one other extant species in the family, the Okapi.
With a population of only 68,000 individuals, Giraffes have been classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. The population has plummeted 40% in 30 years. The subspecies of giraffes are faring worse. The Kordofan and Nubian Subspecies have lost over 90% of their population. Both are considered critically endangered. The Endangered Status has been attached to the Masai Giraffes. Out of the nine subspecies, only the Angolan Giraffe is classified as “Least Concern”.
The giraffe’s current range is just a fraction of its historic range. In fact, the species has become extinct in Senegal, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Mauritania. Figure 1, depicts the change in the giraffes range over the last few centuries.
Excessive Poaching a Threat to Girrafes
The Giraffe has been extensively poached locally. Their body parts are revered locally. Their hairs are used to make jewellery while their tails are utilized for the construction of bracelets, threats and fly swatters. Meanwhile their skin is used for drums, shields and sandals. Their body parts, like those of most illegal trades species, have apparent, unproved medical benefits. Giraffe bones supposedly cure HIV/Aids. Meanwhile the smoke of burning skins is used to cure bleeding noses. Giraffes are also often consumed as bushmeat. Interestingly, the Humr People of Kordofan prepare a drink from the liver and bone marrow of giraffes. Known as Umm Nyolokh, the drink causes giraffe hallucinations. While this is superstitiously attribute to giraffe ghosts, the drink is likely to contain a recreational psychedelic drug known as DMT. This drug triggers an unusual state of consciousness. Hallucinations are a possible symptom of these biochemical alterations.
The USA also has augmented the poaching of giraffes. Between 2006 and 2015, 21,000 giraffe skin products and nearly 4,000 giraffe trophies were imported into the country. Given that the species was not classified as “Endangered”, the US authorities were reluctant to impose regulations on the import of giraffe based products.
Unfortunately, both trophy hunting and poaching of giraffes have been augmented by civil war in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and North-East Kenya. The giraffes are a valuable source of bushmeat for the rebels. Meanwhile, participating in the illegal wildlife trade is a common way to fund militancy. In Sudan, the giraffe population has plummeted from 13,000 during the commencement of the civil unrest. Presently, barely a few hundred individuals roam Sudan’s wilderness.
Prevalent Habitat Loss Threaten Giraffe Populations
Severe habitat loss has also impacted giraffe populations. The giraffe populations have been scattered due to the fragmentation of African Savannas. Unfortunately, most grassland species across the world have been victims of severe habitat degradation. The emergence of highways across their habitat has substantially increased vehicular collision. In fact, the road mortality of giraffes was so high, the Niger government was forced to relocate the species to safer locations.
With the rise of the Charcoal Industry across Africa, the harvesting of trees became common. The industry is an important industry for the poorer sections of African society. The loss of trees would have impacted the food availability, hence catalysing the giraffe population decline.
Like a plethora of species, giraffes were not saved from the impact of climate change. In 2017, severe droughts jolted northern Kenya. This forced nomadic herders to enter protected areas with their livestock. Not only did this lead to overgrazing by livestock, but triggered human wildlife conflict. Giraffes, being easy targets, were the victim of retaliation cullings by these herders.
Climate change also led to the proliferation of diseases such as the lesion inducing skin disease. Habitat fragmentation encouraged inbreeding depression, a biological phenomena threatening species across the world.
Interspecific factors also have been disadvantageous for giraffes. In areas where wildebeest and zebra have declined, there has been increased consumption of giraffes by lions. As the species is not regularly preyed upon due to its size, such changes in predator-prey dynamics can cause immense ecological and physiological impacts. In fact, in Tanzania, increased predation by lions has led to a decline in reproductive success in giraffes by 37%
Conservation Efforts
There has been some progress in the conservation of giraffes in recent times. On August 22, 2019, the Giraffe found it classified as an Appendix II species under the CITES protection regime. Being classified as an Appendix II species, emphasizes the need of regulations to prevent the species becoming endangered due to wildlife trade. Wildlife products from all species classified in this group, will require official documentation from CITES to be traded internationally. The proposal was brought about in the CITES Conference of Parties in Geneva, by numerous African countries, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Kenya, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. All countries have witnessed a massive decline in giraffe populations in recent decades.
Niger has been the forerunner in the conservation of giraffes. After the species became extinct in the country, authorities reintroduced 50 individuals towards the end of the 20th century. In just over two decades, the population has skyrocketed to over 450. The governments of Kenya and Uganda have found inspiration from this success, and are preparing their own conservation action plans.
With that being said, conservation efforts still remain lethargic. Increased global cooperation is required to preserve this keystone species.
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