Giraffes, known as the gentle giant, are the tallest mammals in the world and are found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Female giraffes are similar to female elephants in which they form close familial bonds with their calves and other giraffes.
Giraffes have been in existence for over one million years. It was only 100 years ago, that the giraffe population was estimated at around one million. The current population is less than elephants, estimated at 110,000.
The reason we are witnessing such a rapid decline in their population is due to poaching as well as the product of trophy hunts. Currently, the giraffe species has not been placed on the Endangered Species List.
More than one giraffe per day is brought into the U.S., as our federal law does not prohibit importing giraffe parts into the country. Giraffe tails are used to make bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry. Their skin is used for jackets, bible covers, rugs. Bones are used to make knives.
Poachers kill the giraffes for meat and the brains and bone marrow are sold as fake cures for HIV/AIDS in China and Vietnam.
Although this is very devastating, we can still help by making calls to our state legislators and asking to ban the sale and trade of giraffe parts. In addition, we can call our federal legislators asking to ban the import of giraffe parts into our country.
Please know when you contact your legislators to support issues like protecting wildlife, your opinion counts. Always. One quick phone call or email can make such a major impact for the wildlife.
You can find your state and federal legislators here.
