The population of giraffes has increased across Africa, which is an unexpected but nevertheless good piece of news, because in 2016 they were an endangered species. Now the population of wild giraffes has increased by 20% when compared to 2015.
The surge of giraffe population may be tied to both different preservation measures and more accurate observational data.
Not long ago environmental activists reported alarming information that in the last decade the population of giraffes has declined dramatically. This is especially true for Masai giraffes, whose numbers have dropped by 30% in the last 30 years. According to data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, their numbers have dropped from 155 000 in 1984 to 97 000 in 2015.
National Geographic urges people to think about these majestic animals.
Giraffes are an important part of the ecosystem
These animals, which are known world-wide with the long necks, the unique pattern, 50 centimetres long tongue and tall eyelashes have always captivated people. They have the highest blood pressure among all land-dwelling mammals on the planet.
With their long necks giraffes are able to reach leaves, blossoms and fruits that are unreachable for most other animals.
When plants and fruits go through the giraffe’s digestive system, seeds are left in the soil, which allows plants to continue growing. Giraffes are also known to carry ticks, which provides an ample food source to birds that feed on them.
The «quiet extinction» of giraffes has stopped
In the last seven years both government and NGO institutions, as well as researchers and volunteers have been collecting information about giraffes and their population in 21 African countries.
According to available data, the total population of giraffes across the entire African continent is approximately 117 000, which is nearly 20% more when compared to 2015.
Nevertheless, the number of giraffes remains relatively small, considering a couple of hundred years ago there were millions of them.
Some researchers call it «silent extinction».
Not long ago researchers believed there is only one species of giraffes. However, the latest genetic evidence indicates there are four: Northern, Somali, Masai and Southern. The population of the latter remains relatively stable. Another seven species of giraffes have gone extinct.
Northern Giraffes are the most endangered species. They live in isolated communities in Central and Western Africa, as well as Uganda and Kenya. Data suggests there are more than 5 900 representatives of this species, which is a considerable increase when compared to 2015, when there were 4 780. Nevertheless, this is still a relatively small number.
Somali giraffes are the second most endangered species of giraffes. These giraffes live in the northern parts of Kenya. Researchers estimate that there are 16 000 representatives of this species left, which is almost twice as many when compared to 2015. This increase, too, is most likely related to more accurate monitoring data.
There are approximately 45 000 Masai giraffes in Africa. They are mostly found in Tanzania and southern parts of Kenya.
This number is up to 44% more when compared to seven years ago. The population of Southern giraffes, which are found in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, is around 48 000, which is as many as there were in 2015.
Researchers use the most modern approach to monitoring giraffes
In the past researchers have always surveyed giraffe populations from aircraft. However, in some regions giraffes can still go unnoticed from the air because of thick foliage. The new approach involves using photos. Computer programmes scan photos and record giraffes using their unique patterns.
There have been attempts to herd animals to other regions where there aren’t many giraffes, such as nature reserves in Niger, Chad and Uganda. For example, in 2015 a total of 15 giraffes were relocated to Uganda’s Mburo Lake National Park. Their numbers have already increased to 37.
Poachers continue hunting giraffes
Unfortunately, there are still regions in which it is not possible to acquire data about giraffes, such as South Sudan, because the region remains torn by civil war. Researchers have justified concerns poaching is on a rise there.
Illegal giraffe hunts remain a big problem in other African countries.
Giraffes are mostly hunted for their meat, fur and tails. Construction of oil and gas pipelines also threatens dividing biotopes and putting at risk the natural habitats giraffes and their population.