Stop the Silent Extinction of Kordofan & Reticulated Giraffes!
- by: Nerudo Chigubu
- recipient: Pres. Paul Biya of Cameroon, Pres. Idriss Deby of Chad, Pres. Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic, Pres. Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, Pres. Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud of Somalia, Pres. Mulatu Teshome of Ethiopia, Pres. Uhuru Kenyatta of Keny
The giraffe, a majestic icon of Africa, has been overlooked and neglected as a species. Only 400 scientific papers have been written on the world's tallest animal. During the last 15 years, numbers have plummeted from an estimated 140,000 to 90,000 today. Until recently, it was believed there was only 1 species of giraffe, with 9 subspecies. In actuality, there are 4, with clear genetic differences. This is great news for giraffe conservation efforts, which have been complicated due to lack of knowledge. Also, we can now prioritize the most endangered species, the northern giraffe and the reticulated giraffe. The northern giraffe population has fewer than 5,000 animals, including its 3 subspecies. One of its subspecies, the Kordofan, is being hunted for its tail. The reticulated giraffe, also known as the Somali giraffe, has had an 80% drop in population because of habitat loss and poaching. Giraffes are currently listed as a species of least concern but with the recent discovery of four subsets (two of which have less than 10,000 animals each), this warrants a NEW conservation status! List these beautiful creatures individually as endangered and ensure their protection. We, all of us together, must end the silent extinction of the Kordofan and Reticulated Giraffe today.
The giraffe, a majestic icon of Africa, has been overlooked and neglected as a species. Only 400 scientific papers have been written on the world's tallest animal. During the last 15 years, numbers have plummeted from an estimated 140,000 to 90,000 today. Until recently, it was believed there was only 1 species of giraffe, with 9 subspecies. In actuality, there 4, with clear genetic differences. This is great news for giraffe conservation efforts, which have been complicated due to lack of knowledge. Also, we can now prioritize the most endangered species, the northern giraffe and the reticulated giraffe. The northern giraffe population has fewer than 5,000 animals, including its 3 subspecies. One of its subspecies, the Kordofan, is being hunted for its tail. The reticulated giraffe, also known as the Somali giraffe, has had an 80% drop in population because of habitat loss and poaching. Giraffes are currently listed as a species of least concern but with the recent discovery of four subsets (two of which have less than 10,000 animals each), this warrants a NEW conservation status! List these beautiful creatures individually as endangered and ensure their protection. We, all of us together, must end the silent extinction of the Kordofan and Reticulated Giraffe today.
