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21st Apr 2017

Giraffes are dying off and conservationists want to act NOW

Niamh Maher

giraffes

Noooooooooooooo.

The earth’s tallest land animal is in danger of extinction.

5 wildlife protection groups have petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife service to list giraffes as an endangered animal.

Africa’s giraffe population has plunged almost 40% in the past 30 years and now stands at just over 97,000 individuals.

Giraffes are facing increasing threat from habitat loss, hunting for meat and the international trade in bone carvings and trophies.

 

The petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society International, The Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Natural Resources Defense Council is seeking ‘endangered’ status for the species.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has 90 days to review and respond to the petition and determine whether a listing may be warranted.

Time for a random giraffe fact we never knew… a group of giraffes is called a ‘tower’… WHAT?!