Sadly, the giraffe has gotten some new recognition. This past week, nations of the world have moved to classify giraffes as an endangered species. A committee at the World Wildlife Conference approved the protection with a vote of 106-21.
The African Wildlife Foundation says that in just 30 years, the population of giraffe in the wild has diminished by 40 percent. It is estimated, by the Giraffe conservation Foundation, that there are about 80,000 giraffes in the wild.(as of 2014)
As an endangered species, the trading of hides, bone carvings, meat and other giraffe parts would be controlled. A full ban was not approved. The cause of the dwindling of giraffes in the wild included the destruction of their habitat, climate change and worsening droughts and illegal trading of giraffe body parts.
Did you Know?
1. There are nine subspecies of giraffe. One is stable, three are actually increasing in number and 5 have dwindling numbers.
2. Did you know that the okapi is the only close relative of the giraffe?
3. The tallest land animals, the giraffe’s legs are about six feet long!
4. Each giraffe’s spots are different. They are like a human fingerprint.
5. People once called the giraffe a “camel-leopard” because of its small hump and leopard spots. That is how it got its the species name of camelopardalis.
What do YOU know about giraffes?
Check out this web quest. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Giraffe-Learn-all-about-Giraffes-Internet-Activity-2924515
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