Learn why Giraffes are becoming endangered? #ConservationTuesday
“Today, protected areas cover just 15 percent of land and 7 percent of the ocean.” National Geograpic Blog. n.d. Thu. 31 January 2019.
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A wilderness area is a space where Nature has been left completely
undisturbed. The
land is as it always has been. That means no farming, no
buildings, no roads - no development of any kind. Whilst it is possible to
visit wilderness areas, their typically vast expanses, isolated locations and
lack of infrastructure usually means these areas are void of people, too.
The giraffe is one of Africa’s most
recognisable and iconic animals and the tallest land mammal. While giraffes are
commonly seen on a safari, people are unaware that the numbers of these majestic
animals are crashing dramatically outside of protected areas due to habitat
loss, illegal hunting and human-wildlife conflict. There are nine subspecies of
giraffe, each confined to specific regions of Africa.
Giraffes are ruminants, meaning their stomach has multiple chambers. If they are not actively eating, they are probably chewing their cud. The majority of the time, giraffes sleep while standing up. This is to protect them from predators. If a predator approached while they were napping while standing up, they could quickly and easily gallop away.
This does not mean they never lay down. Giraffes occasionally lay down, resting their neck on their flanks. They are extremely vulnerable in this position. When they do this, at least one member of the herd will remain standing and on watch for predators.
The Rothschild’s giraffe
The Rothschild’s giraffe
is now listed as one of the most endangered animals in Africa – in 2010 there
were thought to be less than 670 individuals. It is found in western Kenya and
eastern Uganda and it has broader dividing white lines than the reticulated
giraffe and no spotting below the knees. The Rothschild's giraffe is often
referred to as the watchtower of the Serengeti. This is due to its height.
Because it is so tall, it can see predators from a great distance, giving it
the opportunity to warn not only its herd but other animals as well.
The Rothschild's giraffe is an herbivore, which means that it exists solely on plants. Their preference is the new, young shoots, leaves and bark from trees and shrubs. Acacia trees are a particular favorite of the giraffe.Their tongue and teeth are well-suited for their diet. Their tongue is long and tough, allowing them to strip leaves from limbs easily. Their tough tongue also allows them to strip the leaves from stems and branches that have thorns.
The Rothschild's incisors are splayed. This unique shape makes it easier for them to strip the leaves they want to eat from the branches. An adult will eat about 75 pounds (34 kg) of food each day. The amount of food required for the giraffe to maintain its weight means it spends between 16 and 30 hours eating each day.
Back in 2010, the Rothschild's giraffe was listed on the Endangered list of the nine recognized species of giraffes, the Rothschild's is the second most threatened. Poaching, traditional hunting, and degradation of their habitat are primary reasons that took this species to an endangered conservation status.
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