Giraffes On Path Towards Extinction

The situation for many of the world's species, including megafauna such as elephants, rhinos, and tigers, appears increasingly bleak. The alarming decline of many of these iconic species has been well documented. The plight of the planet's elephant populations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, has been especially hard-hit as a result of illegal hunting and human encroachment on their habitat. Rhino populations have also been decimated, particularly as a result of poaching. Now giraffes are in increasing and serious danger of becoming extinct.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently classified giraffes as "vulnerable to extinction" on its "Red List." The wild population of giraffes has declined by nearly 40 % over the last 30 years, a decrease precipitated largely by habitat loss, illegal hunting, and the impact of civil wars.