Niger giraffes: majestic gentle giants back from the brink of extinction

In the mid 1800's, the West African or Niger giraffes were plentiful in various herds located around the Senegal and Cameroon areas. During the course of the following century horrific droughts, habitat loss, farm land conversion, food scarcity, and hunting—caused a dramatic decline in the West African subspecies.

Africa has nine subspecies of giraffes distinguished by location, body color, spots, and pattern. Ten years ago, the total number of all species of giraffe was approximately 140,000. Today, the total numbers have declined to around 100,000, due to a high volume of poaching, desert encroachment, and development.

Of the nine subspecies-- Niger giraffes (camelopardalis peralta), are the most imperiled. They have cream colored legs almost devoid of spots and tannish colored body and face spots. The Niger, also called the Nigerian giraffe does have the long, 18 inch black tongue, which is used to pluck leaves from trees and bushes and is characteristic in all species of giraffes. They can live for 25 years and go without water longer than a camel.

Giraffes are considered to be the tallest animal on the planet standing up to 20 feet and can weigh over 2000 lbs. Amazingly, if a giraffe is frightened it can run up to 35 miles an hour. Although, giraffes are big, they are very fragile and can easily die from stress. If a giraffe is spooked and falls down, it has difficulty getting up and is likely to die from predation or starvation.

In the mid 1960’s, conservation efforts were non-existent and it was estimated the dwindling number of Niger giraffes existed in small scattered herds regularly traveling into the Gao Region of Mali and throughout the Niger River valley of Niger.

By 1991, there were estimated to be less than 100 Niger giraffes in the entire nation of West Africa. By 1996, the population had declined to a precarious 50 animals and was sliding toward extinction.

The local Nigerian government, encouraged by conservation groups, ratcheted up efforts to protect and improve the region’s fledgling giraffe eco-tourism business, recognizing the economic benefit of working with farmers to gain a balance for co-existence. It became against the law to kill a giraffe and the crime would bring a hefty five year jail term.

Giraffes have been historically poached for food and their skins, which are used to make items for sale, like drums and shoes.

The government also reigned in the encouragement of wood cutting businesses by local residents, due to the unintentional destruction of the giraffe’s main food source: leaves from bands of trees and Tiger Bush habitat.

According to Julian Fennessy, the founder of Giraffe Conservation Foundation--giraffe hunting has been outlawed and restaurants can no longer boost of serving giraffe delicacies on their menus.

“We’re trying to increase awareness, educate people, and help governments put conservation practices in place,” Fennessy said, who feels the plight of giraffes has not been emphasized enough. “If we don’t fight to preserve giraffes, their numbers are going to continue to decline."

The Prince Albert II of MonacoPrince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has contributed to the Giraffe Association, which educates the villagers to understand they will get loans in exchange for preserving giraffe habitat and food supply.

Since conservation efforts began in 1996, and more earnestly in the past few years, Niger giraffe populations have increased to an estimated 200 animals. The fact that most of the natural predators like leopards and lions have basically been wiped out by Koure poochers --is also a leading factor in the subspecies recovery.

For a diminished species to rebound to a total of 200 animals might not sound like much-- but it is an astonishing reversal from such a steep decline.

The fragile giants may have better looking prospects for their future, but they are by no means out of the woods.

Continued conservation efforts will be necessary for a long time in the fight to preserve them in the wild and not have the only Niger giraffes in existence—be seen behind the walls of a zoo.

Any good news about wildlife species these days is welcome news.

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***Copyright DelilahStarling 2009