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A conservation assessment of Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa

Taxonomic notes: Currently, nine subspecies classifications have been proposed for Giraffe (Ansell 1972; Dagg & Foster 1982; Kingdon 1997; East 1999; Grubb 2005; Ciofolo & Pendu 2013). There is considerable uncertainty surrounding the geographic and taxonomic limits of all described subspecies (Fennessy et al. 2013). Furthermore, recent genetic work suggests that several subspecies may even represent distinct species (Brown et al. 2007). Globally, only the forms G. c. peralta from West Africa, which recent genetic evidence has confirmed is indeed

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Seasonal ungulate distribution and densities on Manyara ranch 2012-13

The northern Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem in Tanzania is among the richest areas in the world for large mammal diversity and abundance, and Manyara Ranch provides crucial wildlife habitat for migratory and resident species between the Tarangire River and Lake Natron. This area is essential to the survival of migratory wildlife populations in the area, and sustains the ecological viability of both Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, two of the highest income earning parks in Tanzania. We conducted ungulate surveys in

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Standing Tall for Giraffes – Research and Conservation of an Overlooked African Icon

Despite being iconically African, the giraffe remains largely understudied in the wild—unlike most of the continent’s other large megafauna. In part, this is because giraffes were not heavily hunted until recently: they don’t produce tusks or horns that are coveted as trophies or medicine and they are not an aggressive species. Sadly, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) now estimates that giraffe numbers have plummeted across Africa by 40 percent in the last decade to less than 80,000 individuals due to

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A study on the social organisation of the Southern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa)

In this study, I have investigated the social structure of a population of the Southern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) residing in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa. To do so, association data was collected using photo-identification to recognise individual giraffes. Within the study period between October 27th 2012 and January 25th 2013, 257 groups of giraffes were encountered, and the population number was estimated to be at least 173 giraffes residing within the 513 km2 area. For the analysis of the

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Population, distribution, and behaviour of giraffe in the Arusha National Park, Tanzania

In a year’s study of the giraffe population of the Arusha National Park we identified 462 individuals. The cumulative first sightings of individuals were fitted to a logistic model that gave an estimated total population of 471. Immatures accounted for only 24% of the population. Twenty-two calves were born during the period of study. The giraffe of the Park are divided into ‘North’ (more precisely northeastern) and ‘South’ (southeastern) subpopulations, and although there is no barrier between them, only 3%

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The distribution and population status of the elusive okapi, Okapia johnstoni

The okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is one of only two remaining giraffid species. This elusive animal is endemic to the central and north-eastern rainforest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is poorly known. As part of a multipartner, rangewide okapi conservation project, in 2013, the IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group (IUCN SSC GOSG), the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) organized a participatory, multistakeholder workshop in Kisangani,

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A Preliminary Study of Desert Dwelling Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis Angolensis) Ecology, Northwestern Namibia

Historically, giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis Linnaeus 1758) were widely distributed  throughout Mrica, from the northern to the southern savannah regions (Skinner & Smithers 1990;East 1998). ,Today their distribution is both patchy and discontinuous, from west Mrica to south Africa. Similar to other megafauna throughout Mrica (e.g. elephant (Loxodonta africana), rhino (Diceros bicornis) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer), reduction of available range has reduced giraffe distribution markedly. This reduction has been predominantly associated with human development, although illegal hunting and disease have also

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GIRAFFES

The giraffe, Girafa camelopardalis, is distributed widely in Africa, although in many territories numbers have decreased greatly during the past century. In West Africa, a few are said to live in the Ferlo district, but there are none in Gambia, Sierra Leone or Liberia. In French West Africa, the once extensive range of the giraffe has become very reduced, and it is now found in number in only two regions-the first in the Mtnaka district, and the second around Aderbissinat.

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Distribution and status of the desert-dwelling giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis) in northwestern Namibia

The population density and distribution of desert-dwelling giraffes was estimated in three study areas in the Hoanib River catchment, northwestern Namibia. Giraffe population densities (0.01 giraffe/km^2) were equal to the lowest recorded in Africa with population numbers fluctuating over past  decades. Sex ratios, herd sizes and age categories differed between all the study areas, while a weak correlation (r2 = 0.66, P < 0.001) in giraffe aggregation and the hot-dry season was observed in the Ombonde River. Seasonal movement and

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An overview of giraffe giraffa camelopardalis taxonomy, distribution and conservation status, with a Namibian comparative and focus on the Kunene Region.

Limited knowledge of the giraffe’s taxonomy, distribution and conservation status currently exists at the species and subspecies level. This lack of understanding has compounded the species long-term conservation Africa-wide, including in Namibia where waves have been made regarding the species potential conservation down listing based on little, if any, scientific evidence. This study provides the first concise overview of the Namibian giraffe in respect to its taxonomy, conservation status, population numbers and historical distribution, and in context of the entire

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