Why is the giraffe facing a silent extinction?

Despite being the world’s tallest mammal, the giraffe faces falling numbers overlooked by most conservation efforts.

A giraffe walks across a paved road at the Nairobi National Park in Kenya's capital Nairobi, September 19, 2014
A giraffe walks across a paved road at the Nairobi National Park in Kenya's capital Nairobi, September 19, 2014 [Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

There are now fewer giraffes in Africa than elephants or gorillas. The world’s tallest mammal has been listed as a vulnerable species since 2016. It’s already extinct in seven countries. Yet few people realise that this beloved staple of the savannah is in peril. Wildlife conservation has been gaining momentum, with celebrity advocates and global campaigns. But the giraffe’s struggles have failed to stand out and attract the world’s attention.

In this episode: 

  • Steph Fennessy (@sfennessy), executive director, Giraffe Conservation Foundation (@Save_Giraffe)
  • Arthur Muneza, East Africa coordinator, Giraffe Conservation Foundation

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Miranda Lin with our host Kevin Hirten, in for Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.

Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

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Find out more about the Giraffe Conservation Foundation here.

Source: Al Jazeera