Giraffe

Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world, with females reaching up to 14 feet tall and males up to 18 feet. Female giraffes can weigh up to 1,500 pounds while males frequently exceed that, weighing up to 3,000 pounds. The eyes of giraffes are the size of golf balls ("Giraffe" San Diego Zoo). Their average lifespan in the wild is ten to fifteen years ("Giraffe." African Wildlife Foundations). This surprisingly speedy animal can run short distances at approximately thirty-five miles per hour ("Giraffe" San Diego Zoo).

About nine subspecies of giraffes exist, all genetically and physically unique. Each subspecies of giraffes has different coat patterns, and the color, shape, and size depend on where the species lives and what they eat (Saving Giraffes). They usually range from light colors of tan to black. Just like humans have unique fingerprints, each individual giraffe marking is different ("Giraffe" San Diego Zoo).

Giraffes' most distinct feature is their long necks. This interesting characteristic has many vital functions in their living, including feeding, necking, lookout, blood supply, and structure. Their long necks are elastic blood vessels. Their valves offset the quick blood buildup to prevent the giraffes from passing out when they swing their heads low and bring them back up. Their horn-like knobs, coated with hair and skin, protects their eyes from head injuries.

Giraffes use their 18-inch-long tongues to assist them in finding and grabbing the best leaves from the tops of the trees (Giraffe Facts). Half of their days revolve around feeding. They are herbivorous, with their diet consisting of up to 93 different plant species, but they primarily eat leaves and buds of shrubs and trees and consume herbs, vines, flowers, and fruits. Giraffes do not need to drink water daily to survive,as they live in regions with scarce water sources.

When a giraffe spots a predator, primarily crocodiles, hyenas, leopards, lions, and humans, or is in any danger, they let out a loud snort to warn others nearby. Young giraffes, called calves, are very vulnerable to predators; however, they are self-sufficient in finding food .

Giraffe's habitats range from deserts, woodlands, and savanna environments or where many trees grow in Africa. Giraffes have disappeared from seven countries due to human expansion and destruction. The giraffe population was at two million 150 years ago. Over the last three decades, the African giraffe population has declined about 40%, leaving the giraffes with as little as 97,000 individuals ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundation). The West African Giraffe's population is scattered across west and central Africa; only 600 of these rare subspecies remain in the world (The Giraffe in the Room). The rapid decline is predominantly due to poaching habitat loss because of human-wildlife conflict, expanding agriculture, and civil disorder.

Why Are Giraffes Endangered?

1. Habitat Loss

Habitat loss has been due mostly to human causes: the growing human population, urban development expansions, increase in agricultural land, mines, and other industries (Saving Giraffes" Center for Biological Diversity). Humans invade and take over the land the giraffes used to roam. The excessive cutting of trees for firewood, human housing and factory expansion, disease, poaching, and war or civil unrest has led to habitat fragmentation (The Giraffe in the Room). This excessive cutting leads to giraffe species’ isolation which limits the genetic diversity between the populations. Habitat degradation has been caused by increased human expansion for agricultural land, pastoralism, and increased timber and harvesting of fuel-wood ("Giraffe Facts" Giraffe Conservation Foundation). Other habitat loss threats include increasing competition for scarce resources, such as water and unpredictable climate changes ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

2. Poaching

Giraffes are illegally poached, as they are used mostly for their meat in many African regions. They are easy targets for hunters, because of their slim long necks and legs (The Giraffe in the Room). They are frequently caught in snares (Giraffe Conservation). Poachers use guns and other weapons to kill the species. Poachers seek Giraffe's meat, pelts, hairs, bones, and tails (Giraffe Subspecies Listed as Critically Endangered). The Humane Society International reported the 40,000 items of imports of giraffe products to the U.S. between 2006 and 2015, with over 21,000 giraffe-bone carvings and engravings, 4,000 raw bones, 2,000 bone pieces, 3,000 partial skins, and 700 full skins. The giraffe parts are used to then craft bags, boots, bracelets, bible covers, cushion covers, and hats. On average, one dead Giraffe is illegally imported into America by trophy hunters each day.

In some cultures, including in Tanzia, people believe the brains and bone marrow of the Giraffe can protect against and cure AIDS. The tails are also harvested to be gifts, ornaments, and jewelry (The Giraffe in the Room). In some African regions, the tails hold high cultural value, being used for good-luck bracelets and beads, fly whisks, and thread for sewing ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

3. Human Conflict

In West Africa, the main threats to giraffe life are road accidents and conflicts between them and farmers. As humans develop more land near Giraffe protected habitats, giraffes are frequently struck by trains and vehicles. The human-giraffe competition has also emerged as giraffes destroy and damage crops and get or transmit diseases with the farmer's livestock. Farmers will hunt giraffes with sticks, stones, or machetes when the giraffes raid the farmers' crops. Military actions, war, and violence have added to the decreasing number of giraffes in the wild (The Giraffe in the Room).

Why Giraffes Are Important

Giraffes help keep balance in the ecosystem. Because of their tall height, they can eat the browse that other species can not reach. This promotes the growth of forage, opening up areas for themselves and other species to use. The acia trees are dependent on giraffes. The seedlings will not germinate until they pass through the giraffe's digestive system. By protecting the giraffes, you help the other species in their environment with high investments of resources and time as these unique animals roam nature ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

Change

Many petitions for extra protection and care, from the U.S. Endangered Species Act, have been advocated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Saving Giraffes). The extent of the poaching of giraffes is not fully known yet and needs to be further researched and addressed (Giraffe facts). In West Africa, The African Wildlife Foundation reforests the acacia trees to provide food and expand the giraffe's habitat. Educating the local communities is important for agricultural and settlement growth and sustainability to continue to be productive while protecting the species ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

Born Free is a U.K. conservation group that works collaboratively with many partners to focus on programs like grassroots levels, ensuring the giraffes and their land are protected. Specifically in Kenya, East Africa, the Saving Meru's Giants programs protect the giraffes in the area. 10% of the giraffe's population is found in The Meru Conservation Area. They implement natural solutions to restrict crop mage and loss by the giraffes. The program educates the local communities to increase awareness and hopefully illuminate human giraffe conflict by holding education workshops, creating local patrol teams to remove snares in giraffe habitats, and seeking solutions to find a way to reduce climate change.

The Born Free run program tracks, monitors, and identifies individual giraffes in the conservation ("Giraffe Conservation" Born Free). Humans now use GPS tracking devices to follow giraffes in order to learn and understand giraffe habitat use, seasonal migration, and their home range. GPS satellite use requires high investments of resources and time as these unique animals roam nature. This new tactic will aid and support the species in long-term ways as they create land management plans for giraffes, along with other animals ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

Donate:

https://savegiraffesnow.org/donate/

Artist Statement

I chose to use newspapers for two reasons. For starters, I wanted to use recyclable materials. Second, I wanted to convey the message that the media does not share or advocate for endangered species as much as they should or could. It is important to spread awareness for endangered species in order for people to know how to help.

The Art:

Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world, with females reaching up to 14 feet tall and males up to 18 feet. Female giraffes can weigh up to 1,500 pounds while males frequently exceed that, weighing up to 3,000 pounds. The eyes of giraffes are the size of golf balls ("Giraffe" San Diego Zoo). Their average lifespan in the wild is ten to fifteen years ("Giraffe." African Wildlife Foundations). This surprisingly speedy animal can run short distances at approximately thirty-five miles per hour ("Giraffe" San Diego Zoo).

About nine subspecies of giraffes exist, all genetically and physically unique. Each subspecies of giraffes has different coat patterns, and the color, shape, and size depend on where the species lives and what they eat (Saving Giraffes). They usually range from light colors of tan to black. Just like humans have unique fingerprints, each individual giraffe marking is different ("Giraffe" San Diego Zoo).

Giraffes' most distinct feature is their long necks. This interesting characteristic has many vital functions in their living, including feeding, necking, lookout, blood supply, and structure. Their long necks are elastic blood vessels. Their valves offset the quick blood buildup to prevent the giraffes from passing out when they swing their heads low and bring them back up. Their horn-like knobs, coated with hair and skin, protects their eyes from head injuries.

Giraffes use their 18-inch-long tongues to assist them in finding and grabbing the best leaves from the tops of the trees (Giraffe Facts). Half of their days revolve around feeding. They are herbivorous, with their diet consisting of up to 93 different plant species, but they primarily eat leaves and buds of shrubs and trees and consume herbs, vines, flowers, and fruits. Giraffes do not need to drink water daily to survive,as they live in regions with scarce water sources.

When a giraffe spots a predator, primarily crocodiles, hyenas, leopards, lions, and humans, or is in any danger, they let out a loud snort to warn others nearby. Young giraffes, called calves, are very vulnerable to predators; however, they are self-sufficient in finding food .

Giraffe's habitats range from deserts, woodlands, and savanna environments or where many trees grow in Africa. Giraffes have disappeared from seven countries due to human expansion and destruction. The giraffe population was at two million 150 years ago. Over the last three decades, the African giraffe population has declined about 40%, leaving the giraffes with as little as 97,000 individuals ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundation). The West African Giraffe's population is scattered across west and central Africa; only 600 of these rare subspecies remain in the world (The Giraffe in the Room). The rapid decline is predominantly due to poaching habitat loss because of human-wildlife conflict, expanding agriculture, and civil disorder.

Why Are Giraffes Endangered?

1. Habitat Loss

Habitat loss has been due mostly to human causes: the growing human population, urban development expansions, increase in agricultural land, mines, and other industries (Saving Giraffes" Center for Biological Diversity). Humans invade and take over the land the giraffes used to roam. The excessive cutting of trees for firewood, human housing and factory expansion, disease, poaching, and war or civil unrest has led to habitat fragmentation (The Giraffe in the Room). This excessive cutting leads to giraffe species’ isolation which limits the genetic diversity between the populations. Habitat degradation has been caused by increased human expansion for agricultural land, pastoralism, and increased timber and harvesting of fuel-wood ("Giraffe Facts" Giraffe Conservation Foundation). Other habitat loss threats include increasing competition for scarce resources, such as water and unpredictable climate changes ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

2. Poaching

Giraffes are illegally poached, as they are used mostly for their meat in many African regions. They are easy targets for hunters, because of their slim long necks and legs (The Giraffe in the Room). They are frequently caught in snares (Giraffe Conservation). Poachers use guns and other weapons to kill the species. Poachers seek Giraffe's meat, pelts, hairs, bones, and tails (Giraffe Subspecies Listed as Critically Endangered). The Humane Society International reported the 40,000 items of imports of giraffe products to the U.S. between 2006 and 2015, with over 21,000 giraffe-bone carvings and engravings, 4,000 raw bones, 2,000 bone pieces, 3,000 partial skins, and 700 full skins. The giraffe parts are used to then craft bags, boots, bracelets, bible covers, cushion covers, and hats. On average, one dead Giraffe is illegally imported into America by trophy hunters each day.

In some cultures, including in Tanzia, people believe the brains and bone marrow of the Giraffe can protect against and cure AIDS. The tails are also harvested to be gifts, ornaments, and jewelry (The Giraffe in the Room). In some African regions, the tails hold high cultural value, being used for good-luck bracelets and beads, fly whisks, and thread for sewing ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

3. Human Conflict

In West Africa, the main threats to giraffe life are road accidents and conflicts between them and farmers. As humans develop more land near Giraffe protected habitats, giraffes are frequently struck by trains and vehicles. The human-giraffe competition has also emerged as giraffes destroy and damage crops and get or transmit diseases with the farmer's livestock. Farmers will hunt giraffes with sticks, stones, or machetes when the giraffes raid the farmers' crops. Military actions, war, and violence have added to the decreasing number of giraffes in the wild (The Giraffe in the Room).

Why Giraffes Are Important

Giraffes help keep balance in the ecosystem. Because of their tall height, they can eat the browse that other species can not reach. This promotes the growth of forage, opening up areas for themselves and other species to use. The acia trees are dependent on giraffes. The seedlings will not germinate until they pass through the giraffe's digestive system. By protecting the giraffes, you help the other species in their environment with high investments of resources and time as these unique animals roam nature ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

Change

Many petitions for extra protection and care, from the U.S. Endangered Species Act, have been advocated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Saving Giraffes). The extent of the poaching of giraffes is not fully known yet and needs to be further researched and addressed (Giraffe facts). In West Africa, The African Wildlife Foundation reforests the acacia trees to provide food and expand the giraffe's habitat. Educating the local communities is important for agricultural and settlement growth and sustainability to continue to be productive while protecting the species ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

Born Free is a U.K. conservation group that works collaboratively with many partners to focus on programs like grassroots levels, ensuring the giraffes and their land are protected. Specifically in Kenya, East Africa, the Saving Meru's Giants programs protect the giraffes in the area. 10% of the giraffe's population is found in The Meru Conservation Area. They implement natural solutions to restrict crop mage and loss by the giraffes. The program educates the local communities to increase awareness and hopefully illuminate human giraffe conflict by holding education workshops, creating local patrol teams to remove snares in giraffe habitats, and seeking solutions to find a way to reduce climate change.

The Born Free run program tracks, monitors, and identifies individual giraffes in the conservation ("Giraffe Conservation" Born Free). Humans now use GPS tracking devices to follow giraffes in order to learn and understand giraffe habitat use, seasonal migration, and their home range. GPS satellite use requires high investments of resources and time as these unique animals roam nature. This new tactic will aid and support the species in long-term ways as they create land management plans for giraffes, along with other animals ("Giraffe" African Wildlife Foundations).

Donate:

https://savegiraffesnow.org/donate/

Artist Statement

I chose to use newspapers for two reasons. For starters, I wanted to use recyclable materials. Second, I wanted to convey the message that the media does not share or advocate for endangered species as much as they should or could. It is important to spread awareness for endangered species in order for people to know how to help.