Giraffe populations are in trouble — and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday proposed listing three subspecies of the large animals as endangered and two species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Their populations have declined because of poachinghabitat loss and climate change, officials said. Although giraffes are not native to the US, including them under the law would still provide protection to giraffe populations.
The Endangered Species Act, enacted in 1973, provides protection for fish, wildlife, and plants considered threatened or endangered. By law, federal agencies are required to ensure that their actions are unlikely to endanger listed species, the agency said.
“Federal protections for giraffes will help protect a vulnerable species, promote biodiversity, support ecosystem health, combat wildlife trafficking, and promote sustainable economic practices,” USFWS Director Martha Williams said in a news release. “This action supports giraffe conservation while ensuring the United States does not further contribute to their decline.”
Officials said the list would help giraffes by reducing the illegal hunting and trade of giraffes by requiring permits for imports into the US. Trade is not the main factor behind the population decline, but it does play a role, USFWS said. Their hair and tails have long been used in traditional medicine, the agency added, and in recent years giraffes have also been targeted by bushmeat hunters.
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Including it under the Endangered Species Act would also increase funding for species conservation in its range countries and for research efforts to address conservation. It would also provide some limited financial support for developing and managing giraffe conservation programs, the USFWS said.
According to the agency, subspecies of giraffes from across Africa are at risk. The agency proposed listing West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes as endangered. It also proposed listing Masai and reticulated giraffes as endangered.
West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes — all subspecies of the northern giraffe — have seen their populations decline by about 77% since 1985, according to federal officials. There are about 5,900 left, including only about 690 West African giraffes.
The vast majority of reticulated giraffes live in Kenya and their population is estimated at 15,985, according to USFWS. There are approximately 45,400 Maasai giraffes – a number roughly equivalent to 67% of their population in the 1970s.
Giraffes feed on leaves, stems, flowers and fruits, so human population growth and habitat loss could harm the species. Instances of drought have also led to increased conflict between humans and nature.
The proposed rule to list giraffe species has a 90-day comment period.
