Giraffes could soon get endangered or threatened status in US

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has taken a significant step towards protecting giraffes by proposing to list several subspecies as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

This announcement, made on Wednesday, marks the first time giraffes, the world’s tallest land animals, would receive federal protection in the US.

The proposal highlights the alarming decline in giraffe populations, driven by various factors such as habitat loss, poaching, urbanisation, and the growing effects of climate change, including severe droughts across Africa.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, federal protections are needed to prevent the giraffe from becoming extinct.

The proposal includes several giraffe subspecies that have seen a dramatic drop in numbers. The three subspecies of northern giraffes—West African, Kordofan, and Nubian giraffes—are being considered for listing as endangered.

These populations have dropped by approximately 77% since 1985, falling from around 25,653 individuals to just 5,919. The declining numbers are largely due to habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and the negative impacts of climate change on their natural habitats.

In East Africa, the proposal also includes the reticulated and Masai giraffes, which could be listed as threatened. While not yet facing the same immediate risk of extinction as the northern giraffe subspecies, these two populations are also experiencing significant declines.

The US has become a major market for giraffe parts, with an estimated 40,000 giraffes imported over a decade. Many of these imports are trophy items, such as mounted heads and necks, often brought back by American hunters who travel to Africa. The commercial trade of giraffe body parts contributes to their population decline, and conservationists have long called for measures to curb the demand for such trophies.

“Federal protections for giraffes will help protect a vulnerable species, foster biodiversity, support ecosystem health, combat wildlife trafficking, and promote sustainable economic practices,” said Martha Williams, Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. "This action supports giraffe conservation while ensuring the United States does not contribute further to their decline."

In addition to poaching, giraffes are suffering from the consequences of climate change. More frequent and severe droughts have put additional pressure on the animals, as water and food sources become scarcer. This not only affects the giraffes’ ability to thrive but also leads to the destruction of ecosystems that both wildlife and local communities depend on.

Crops fail, livestock die, and millions of people across Africa are facing food and water shortages. These environmental pressures have compounded the difficulties for giraffes and other species, making their future survival even more uncertain.

If the proposal is finalised, it will introduce new regulations that could help protect giraffes from illegal hunting and trade. For example, the importation of giraffe body parts into the U.S. would require a permit, making it harder for these items to enter the market. The decision would also expand funding for giraffe research and conservation programmes, helping to address the causes of population decline and support efforts to restore giraffe populations.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is gathering public comments on the proposal, which will remain open until February 19, 2025. Following this, the agency expects to finalise the decision within the year.

Environmental groups have been calling for stronger protections for giraffes since 2017, citing the rapid decline in giraffe populations and the threat posed by poaching and habitat loss. The proposed rule could mark a turning point in giraffe conservation efforts and raise awareness about the need to protect these iconic animals from further harm.

If the proposal is implemented, it would provide a vital lifeline for giraffes and ensure that the US plays a part in their conservation. By addressing both illegal hunting and environmental pressures, this move could help stabilise giraffe populations and prevent them from slipping closer to extinction.