With World Giraffe Day on June 21, parents are drawing new attention to the sudden decline in the African giraffe population. The Kiraffe Conservation Foundation has reported a 30% decline over the past 35 years, with only an estimated 117,000 giraffes remaining in the wild today. Contributing factors include agriculture expansion, urban development and habitat losses due to poaching. Several subspecies, such as the Nubian and Kordofan giraffes, are currently classified as critically at risk by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
South Africa's private game reserves play an increasingly important role in protecting giraffes. By protecting and restoring ecosystems, these reserves provide safe habitat, promote genetic diversity, and reduce poaching through enhanced patrol and surveillance. Joe Cloete, CEO of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, emphasized the importance of community engagement and awareness. Many reserves support the local economy through job creation and procurement, strengthening the relationship between conservation efforts and sustainable tourism development.
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Source: bizcommunity
