Giraffes have long been symbols of the African savannah. However, over the past 30 years, their population has declined by 40%, with fewer than 1,17,000 remaining in the wild.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has sounded the alarm, pushing to recognise several giraffe subspecies as endangered.
According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, certain giraffe subspecies, such as the Nubian and West African giraffes, are critically endangered. Meanwhile, Reticulated and Masai giraffes are classified as threatened.
While giraffes are native to Africa, a small population can be found in India. Around 150 years ago, British colonialists brought giraffes from Africa to India.
These giraffes, now part of the captive population, are believed to belong to the Northern giraffe subspecies, specifically Nubian and Rothschild giraffes, both critically endangered.
Visitors to Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysuru can catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures in naturalistic enclosures.
Established in 1892, it is one of India’s oldest zoos and is renowned for its conservation efforts, particularly in breeding endangered species like the white tiger.
The Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata is home to India’s largest captive herd of Northern giraffes.
As part of a long-term conservation and breeding programme, the zoo focuses on maintaining genetic diversity and raising awareness about the threats giraffes face in the wild, such as habitat loss and poaching.
Located near Kanjia Lake, Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar previously housed only one female giraffe, Khushi, who had been alone since the death of a male giraffe, Joy, in 2020.
Recently, however, the zoo welcomed two more giraffes from Alipore Zoo in Kolkata as part of an animal exchange programme, bringing the total to three.
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park in Vijayanagara, near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, received a female giraffe from Patna Zoo under an animal exchange programme.
The park, dedicated to wildlife conservation and education, offers a naturalistic environment for its inhabitants.
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in Visakhapatnam also houses a pair of giraffes brought under an animal exchange programme with Alipore Zoo in Kolkata.
The giraffes were transported by Andhra Pradesh Forest Department officials to this park, which is well-known for its natural and spacious habitats.
Giraffes face multiple threats pushing them toward extinction. Habitat loss is a major concern, with 90% of their natural environment disappearing over the past 300 years.
Climate change and severe droughts further challenge their ability to find food and water. Moreover, poaching for meat and trophies persists despite being illegal in most countries.
As herbivores, giraffes play an important role in maintaining environmental balance by feeding on trees and shrubs, preventing overgrowth and promoting biodiversity.
Protecting giraffes ensures the survival of the larger ecosystems they support, including many other species that depend on these habitats.