As you drive through Kruger National Park, it is extremely likely that you will come across the tallest living species, the giraffe. There are seven different subspecies of giraffes scattered across the African continent. The southern African giraffe can be found throughout northern South Africa and in southern Mozambique. The other subspecies can be found in west, central and east Africa. While some of these subspecies are thriving, others have found survival extremely difficult. The overall population of giraffes has decreased from 140,000 to 80,000 in just under a decade (Gretchen, 2012).
The West African giraffe, which has a noticeably lighter coat than other subspecies, are exclusive to the country of Niger. These giraffes have been subject to habitat loss and unhealthy human interaction. The population in the early 20th century was distributed across west Africa, but by 1990, the population dropped to only 49 within the region. Since then, the animals have gained government protection and their numbers have increase to 550 individuals (GCF, 2017). The giraffes now reside in areas inhabited by local villagers and their habitats are still being affected by human interference. This subspecies of giraffe has been classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List and is the most endangered out of the other six sub species.
The Nubian Giraffe, which can be recognized by its large rectangular spots, was the first giraffe to ever be recorded. Its current population rests at 2,645 individuals and resides in Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda (GCF, 2017). These giraffes are subject to ongoing poaching in the region and habitat loss. Many of these animals are protected by agencies and governments, but we are still seeing a decrease in their population (ICUN, 2018). Some of this subspecies now live in isolated pockets within Uganda and Kenya, but those in Sudan and Ethiopia are affected by human populations.
The Kordofan giraffe can be differentiated from the other subspecies by its pale spots that are randomly shaped and sized. They were previously recorded as the Nubian subspecies, but it was later discovered that they are their own subspecies. Kordofan giraffes are located in Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad and Southern Sudan and have an estimated population of under 2,000 (GFC, 2017). The population has decreased by 80% over the past three decades due to poaching and war efforts. Many of the countries that these animals reside in are either in or have gone through violent wars. Many giraffes have become casualties of these wars and are still threaten by violent conflict. A vast majority of the Kordofan giraffe population (934) live Zakouma National Park which protects these animals from the effects of these wars (African Parks, 2015). While this area does provide refuge, they are still being poached within the park’s boundaries.
The Southern African, Angolan, Masai, and Reticulated giraffes are the luckiest of all the subspecies. The Southern African giraffe has the highest population of all the subspecies at 52,050, which accounts for more than half of the total giraffe population. The Masai giraffe has the second highest population at 32,500. The Angolan and Reticulated giraffe populations are both in-between 10,000–15,000. All of these subspecies have shown a steady increase in population over the past three decades and have little threats that could bring them to the level of endangered (GCF,2017).
“Africa’s Giraffe Species.” Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Jan. 2017, https://giraffeconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Giraffe-Species-poster-Jan-2017-LR-c-GCF.pdf.
“Nubian Giraffe.” IUCN Red List, 12 Feb. 2018, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/88420707/88420710.
“Keeping up with the Kordofans — a Special Subspecies of Giraffe.” Africa Geographic, 19 June 2015, https://africageographic.com/blog/keeping-up-with-the-kordofans-a-special-subspecies-of-giraffe/.
“Giraffe Conservation Foundation.” Africa Adventure Consultants, 28 Aug. 2019, https://adventuresinafrica.com/2012/11/30/charity-spotlight-giraffe-conservation-foundation/.
