Giraffe, the world’s tallest animal is now at risk of extinction and it certainly is something to worry about.
According to Unilad,
The Kordofan giraffe and the Nubian giraffe, which are found across East, Central and West Africa, are now classified as ‘critically endangered’, while the Reticulated giraffe, which is native to the Horn of Africa, is listed as ‘endangered’. Other species of giraffe have also been graded as ‘vulnerable’ and ‘near threatened’.
According to a report filed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there has been a 40% drop in the global population of giraffes in the last three decades and sadly, we are to blame for it.
Habitat loss, civil unrest, ecological changes and of course, poaching are all reportedly the reasons why endangered species like giraffes are nearing extinction.
Recreational killing, also known as trophy hunting, majorly contributes to their decline. Some kill them for its tail, others for meat. The illegal trade in giraffe marrow, touted to cure AIDS, is also one of the causes.
In 1985, the report suggests that there were between 151,000 and 163,000 giraffes. But in 2015, the numbers plunged to 97,562. By 2016, the scientists shifted the conservation status of giraffes from species of ‘least concern’ to ‘vulnerable.’
Not just giraffes, we slowly are also making the survival of other species difficult.
It’s equally shocking to see a devastating decline in numbers of rhinos from around 20,000 to only 400 between 1970 to 1990 in Kenya.
Just a few days ago, we lost the world’s last male northern white rhino, Sudan, in Kenya.
Before that, we even learnt about Sparrows, who are nearing extinction with a 50% decline in their population since 2012.
Recently, Olive Ridley turtles were found during a weekly clean-up of the Versova beach in Mumbai. Afroz Shah, the organizer of these clean-ups, tweeted about it.
Week 127 .
Fantastic news for Mumbai .We got back Olive Ridley Sea Turtle after 20 years. Historic moment Nested and Hatched at our beach. We facilitate their journey to ocean.Constant cleaning helps marine species.Marine conservation centre needed at @versovabeach pic.twitter.com/j79xCKamNh— Afroz Shah (@AfrozShah1) March 22, 2018
It is one step towards making our environment better for animals. But we need more people.