Why Do Giraffes Population Decline

During the past 30 years the population of giraffes has staggered, with numbers decreasing so significantly that these animals are on the verge of extinction. Records from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) show in 1985 there were approximately 155,000 giraffes. In 2015, it was discovered that there were only 97,000 left. Some of the major causes of the species population decline are poaching, political strife, and loss of habitat in Africa. Prior to 2015, giraffes were listed by the IUCN as “least concerned” status. The problem is giraffes are curious creatures, which makes them easily accessible to hunters. They are a valuable food resource, since they are large and can be consumed by many. Now their status has
Farming has destroyed many of the giraffe’s habitats, along with political unrest. In war torn countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, giraffes have become a major source of food. The IUCN has giraffes listed as one species with nine subspecies. One of the subspecies is stable, three have increased in size, and 5 of them have populations that are declining. In southern Africa, the numbers continue to rise, whereas in East Africa the population has dropped by 95% for the Nubian giraffe. Researchers remain hopeful that the long-term survival of the species can be safeguarded. In Southern Africa, there are numerous game parks that generate tourist attraction. In addition, many giraffes are being transferred to various conservation areas. Researchers remain hopeful that the species will survive in the wild. The IUCN Red List has over 85,000 species mentioned and 25,000 are on the brink of extinction. In addition, there are 700 new bird species and a portion of them are endangered including the Pagan reed-warbler, Laysan honeycreeper, and Antioquia wren. Researchers are concerned that many of these species are being decimated before they even discover