Information on Saving the Giraffe

Animals are the heritage of the future generations. The animals of the world have helped to shape humankind and human nature. Preserving the ecosystems and the animals living it helps to preserve the world and the natural wonders it offers. The giraffe is one of the most recognized animals in the world. Learning about the giraffe and gathering information on saving the giraffe is of immediate importance for countries around the world, not just in Africa.

  1. Importance of Giraffes

    • Giraffes are vital to the ecosystems in which they live. The giraffe is able to reach the flowers and leaves of plants that other animals are unable to reach. This helps to spread the seeds of the trees and populate the land with those trees. The giraffe is also important to the predators in the area by providing them with prey. While an adult giraffe is a difficult catch, the predators can catch and kill the babies with minor difficulty.

    Giraffe Habitat

    • The giraffe lives in the arid wooded sections of Africa, although they avoid the tropical moist forests of Africa. The Riparian forests are of vital importance to the giraffe. There are nine different subspecies of giraffe and each species lives in a different location. The habitat of the giraffe is being destroyed for the continued growth of cities and the use of the trees for wood. Clear cutting for cattle grazing is another factor in the destruction of giraffe habitats. Without the habitat, the giraffes could become accessible in zoos only, rather than in the wild.

    Poaching

    • The hides of giraffes are considered very valuable on the black market. The hide of the giraffe is not legal for trade and therefore is only purchased through the black market. This leads to people poaching the giraffe to procure parts of the giraffe while not using the entire animal. This is an illegal practice that kills many giraffes. Fighting poaching and the black market trade of giraffe skins and parts is vital to the successful saving of the giraffe.

    Breeding Facilities

    • Giraffes are being actively bred in zoos and conservation centers. This is to continue a solid line of giraffes for the potential release into the wild and for the continued captivity of giraffes for the general public. Breeders note the blood line of the giraffe and do not allow related giraffes to breed, conserving the integrity of the breeding stock. Since giraffes can be in heat at any point of the year, it is vital that biologists pay close attention to the giraffe for the signs of being in heat. The primary indicators are behavioral changes and change of giraffe odor. Baby giraffes are born at a staggering 6 feet tall and are able to stand and run shortly after birth.

    Help Wanted

    • Donating time to a giraffe conservation center may not be feasible for all people. Donating money to these facilities and organizations for the continued conservation and efforts of saving the giraffe is helpful. The National Zoo and the American Zoological Association are in the battle to save the giraffe and donations to them directly help the animals. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation is in the process of pursuing legislation in Africa and poaching prevention tactics and seeking donations as well. These donations help to fund their studies into the lives of giraffes and how to prevent their extinction.