It may surprise you to hear that giraffes, the iconic open plains animal of Africa, are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their numbers plummeted by a staggering 40% in the last three decades, and less than 100,000 remain today. Habitat loss and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, civil unrest, and poaching for giraffe meat, pelt, and tails, are among the reasons for the decline. 

Recent genetic analyses by GCF and partners have shown that there are four species of giraffe in Africa: the Northern, Southern, Reticulated, and Masai. These live in geographically distinct regions and are of varying conservation concern. The Northern giraffe is the least populous with about 5,200 individuals, and the West African giraffe (a subspecies of Northern giraffe) is the rarest of all, with just over 600 remaining. 

Despite these low figures, the West African giraffe is actually a conservation success story. With support from Born Free, GCF pulled this subspecies back from the brink of extinction.

Historically ranging across West and Central Africa, the West African giraffe is today confined to a small south west corner of Niger. It underwent a dramatic decline in the 20th century due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and a series of severe droughts, disappearing from the majority of its range and plummeting to only 49 individuals in the 1990s. 

The Government of Niger formally protected the few survivors, and today the population stands at 607 individuals; an 11.7% increase since 2016 and over a 1,000% increase since 1990. However, giraffes living in the so-called “giraffe zone” are still threatened by the spread of agriculture, which not only depletes their habitat but also forces them into conflict with people. This concerning situation led the Government of Niger, with support from GCF and partners, to develop a first-of-its-kind National Giraffe Conservation Strategy.

Excitingly, GCF, Born Free, and the Government of Niger will relocate giraffe to the Gadabedji Game Reserve later this year. This ground-breaking new project will help West African giraffes recolonise their historical range, thus supporting their conservation. That’s certainly something to celebrate on this World Giraffe Day!

What better way to celebrate World Giraffe Day than helping to protect them? Adopt a giraffe family in Niger and help us ensure their future!