Khushi Sharma
Giraffe populations are declining at such an alarming rate — from habitat loss, poaching, urbanization and climate change-fueled drought — that US wildlife officials announced a proposal on Wednesday to help protect several of the species, the first time the animal would receive protection under the law.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing many giraffe species as either endangered or threatened. It’s the first time the long-necked mammals, native to Africa, would receive federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.
Declaring a species “endangered” is the most severe level of threat under the law, indicating the species is at immediate risk of extinction. Meanwhile, a species is labeled “threatened” when it is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.
“Federal protections for giraffes will help protect a vulnerable species, foster biodiversity, support ecosystem health, combat wildlife trafficking, and promote sustainable economic practices,” US Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement. “This action supports giraffe conservation while ensuring the United States does not contribute further to their decline.
The three subspecies of northern giraffe officials are proposing to be listed as endangered include the West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes, whose populations have plummeted by roughly 77% since 1985, from 25,653 to 5,919 individuals.
In response to declining giraffe populations caused by poaching, habitat loss and climate change , the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing federal protections for several giraffe species.
After reviewing the best available scientific and commercial information, the Service proposes listing all three subspecies of northern giraffe from west, central and east Africa as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The Service also proposes listing two giraffe species from east Africa as threatened with tailored protections through a 4(d) rule.
The Service proposes the following listings:
- West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes as endangered.
- Reticulated giraffe as threatened with a 4(d) rule.
- Masai giraffe as threatened with a 4(d) rule.
U.S. officials hope the move will help clamp down on the poaching of giraffes by restricting the import of their body parts and products such as rugs, jewelry and shoes made with them, which are contributing to their declines.
The proposed rule, if finalized, will benefit giraffes by:
- Reducing illegal hunting and trade of giraffes by requiring permits for import into the U.S.
- Increasing funding for species conservation in its range countries, research efforts to address conservation needs and U.S. and global awareness about the decline in giraffes.
- Providing limited financial assistance to develop and manage programs to conserve giraffes.