• Environment

Heads up!

• 19 Hours Ago - 2025-01-17 08:45:00

The giraffe is one of the world’s most iconic and unique mammals and has captured the human imagination through the ages.
Surprisingly, only a few years ago scientists discovered that there are four distinct species of giraffe based on their genetics and not as previously assumed only one giraffe species. This distinction has been further confirmed in a newly published study that analysed the skull morphology of giraffes. With only 117 000 giraffes remaining in the wild in Africa, these findings are vital and highlight the importance of finally shining a light on the silent extinction of these gentle giants.
Giraffe taxonomy and evolution have been discussed at length with different theories emerging, however, innovative genomic research by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre and other partners revealed the distinction of four species almost a decade ago, namely the Masai, northern, reticulated, and southern giraffe.
While there were theories of differences in the appearance of different giraffe species, no study had analysed this systematically.
To understand more, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) embarked on a mammoth collaborative research project by engaging key collaborators from the University of Cape Town, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, several European universities as well as many African government partners.
Prof Anusuya Chinsamy from the University of Cape Town and Professor Jesús Marugán-Lobón from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, highlight that “this study is a fantastic example of successful interdisciplinary collaboration in science that has made an important contribution to giraffe conservation and hopefully will go a long way to saving these iconic animals in Africa”.
Global research
This latest state-of-the-art study assembled the largest known dataset for any medium to large wildlife by 3D-scanning 515 giraffe skulls from African national parks, game farms, taxidermists and museum collections globally.
Using 3D geometric morphometrics analysis, it did not come as a surprise that the study showed distinct differences between male and female giraffe skulls. However, it was rather unexpected that the results confirmed the existence of four distinct giraffe species in line with previous genetic analysis: The different species also have distinct cranial morphologies, largely linked to their ossicones (bony horn-like structures on their skulls).
The fact that there are four distinct giraffe species, some with worryingly low numbers remaining in the wild, has clear implications for their conservation and highlights the importance of using science to inform critical decisions for biodiversity conservation.
Dr Julian Fennessy, Director of Conservation at the GCF and co-author says that almost a decade ago, their genetic research showed the existence of four giraffe species. “Now our collaborative morphological research confirmed this. It is about time that the world stands tall for giraffes in particular the IUCN, and changes the outdated taxonomy of these animals to give them the status they deserve.
“Conservation efforts need to target all four species – particularly those with precariously low numbers – before it is too late. Science is science and facts are facts. I hope that any debate around giraffe taxonomy can finally be put to rest, as we must act now to save each of these iconic giraffe species.”
GCF executive director Stephanie Fennessy said that as a small and impactful organisation, the foundation continues to make a big difference for giraffe in Africa and remains at the forefront of giraffe science and conservation.