World Giraffe Day History | Giraffe Population & Conservation | Giraffe Habitat & Giraffe Species | Giraffe Characteristics

World Giraffe Day is celebrated on 21 June annually. The purpose of World Giraffe Day is to raise awareness about Giraffe conservation for Giraffe Population and Giraffe habitat. Moreover, it highlights the challenges giraffes face in the wild. Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) initiated World Giraffe Day. GCF decided to celebrate the longest-necked animal on the longest day of the year. However, it is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere. There are four species of giraffes. Giraffe species include the Northern Giraffe, Southern Giraffe, Masai Giraffe, and Reticulated Giraffe. The coat pattern is interesting among Giraffe Characteristics.

History of World Giraffe Day

World Giraffe Day was first initiated by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation in 2014. GCF is an organization working on Giraffe conservation.  According to GCF, there are only 117,000 giraffes remaining in the world. Moreover, they are at vulnerable to extinction status on the IUCN red list. GCF has chosen this day as it is the longest day or night of the year. Furthermore, it is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere. This aligns with the long neck of this animal. Moreover, this is the tallest animal on the land. The theme of this day is Stand Tall for Giraffe. GCF encourages people to celebrate this day with #StandTallForGiraffe.

Birth of Southern Giraffe in Pakistan 

Giraffe Characteristics

Giraffes belong to the Genus Giraffa and the family Giraffidae. There are only two members in this family, the giraffe and the okapi. Furthermore, Giraffe characteristics are unique and make this an interesting animal.

They are the cud-chewing hoofed and tallest animals on the Earth. They have long neck up to 6 feet. Their neck contains seven elongated vertebrae. Moreover, these Vertebrae have ball and socket joints. Furthermore, their long neck helps them to reach high branches and foliage.

Long legs are also among the giraffe characteristics. Giraffes have long legs. Front legs are slightly longer than back legs. Legs are also 6 feet long. Moreover, they have a heart with a weight up to 11 kg. The heart has the ability to generate almost double the normal blood pressure of other mammals. This double blood pressure maintains blood flow to the brain against gravity.

They have large hooved feet. Moreover, they have two gaits, walking and galloping. On the other hand, they have a coat pattern of irregular brown patches on a light background. This is among the interesting giraffe characteristics. The patch patterns provide camouflage. However, each animal’s pattern is unique, similar to human fingerprints. A very sophisticated system of blood vessels lies underneath every patch.

They have a short body with a tufted tail.  They have long black hair on their tail. Moreover, they have short manes. Besides this, they have two ossicones. These ossicones are horn-like structures made of cartilage and covered with furred skin.

They have long prehensile tongues up to 45-50 cm. Their tongue has thickened papillae which protects them from vicious thorns. Furthermore, the colour of the tongue is black, blue or purple with a pink base.

گیرینک (زرافہ ہرن) کے حوالے سے دلچسپ حقائق، ڈاکٹر مجاہد حسین

Giraffe species

Traditionally, they are classified into one species called Giraffa camelopardalis. IUCN currently recognizes only one species with nine subspecies. Moreover, it depends on their morphological features and geographic ranges. Subspecies of giraffes include the Angolan giraffe, Kordofan, Masai giraffe, Nubian giraffe, Reticulated giraffe, Rothschild’s giraffe, South African giraffe, Thornicroft’s giraffe,  and West African giraffe.

On the other hand, long-term research by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation has identified four distinct giraffe species with several subspecies. These four Giraffe species include the Northern Giraffe, Southern Giraffe, Masai Giraffe and reticulated Giraffe. GCF in collaboration with Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) has performed the first-ever comprehensive DNA sampling and analysis. Moreover, these DNA samples have been collected from all major populations of giraffes across Africa. Work on Four Species has long-term effort done by all these organizations.

IUCN Red List and Status of Different Species 

Giraffe Habitat and Distribution of Giraffes

Giraffe habitat includes savannas, grasslands, and open woodlands in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, the availability of tall trees and shrubs also influence the Giraffe habitat. Their food source includes leaves, fruits, and flowers of woody plants such as acacia trees. Because acacia leaves contain a lot of water, giraffes can live without water for a long time. They exist in African countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Chad and Cameroon.

Giraffe Population and Conservation of Giraffes

In the 1980s, the Giraffe population in Africa was estimated at approximately, more than 155,000. According to GCF, the current population of giraffes remains 117,000 individuals.  Giraffes are listed as Vulnerable in 2016 on IUCN red list. The giraffe population is decreasing due to habitat loss, poaching, and ecological changes. Illegal hunting for meat and hides is the main threat. However, national parks provide important habitat and anti-poaching protection to the giraffe population.

Community-based conservation efforts play an important role in Giraffe conservation. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports community conservation efforts in northern Kenya. Moreover, the African Wildlife Foundation is also working on giraffe conservation.

مختلف جانوروں میں بچے کی پیدائش کا حیران کن عمل

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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