All articles tagged with #giraffes
Gretchen Mogensen, owner of a roadside zoo in Virginia, is serving a 100-day jail sentence for refusing to disclose the whereabouts of two missing baby giraffes, drawing attention from celebrities like Alicia Silverstone and raising concerns about animal treatment.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing giraffes under the Endangered Species Act for the first time, covering five subspecies. This move aims to combat poaching and habitat loss, which have significantly reduced giraffe populations. The listing will require permits for importing giraffe parts into the US and is expected to enhance conservation efforts. Environmental groups welcome the proposal, though they criticize the delay in action. The decision is open for public comment until February 2024, with a final rule expected thereafter.
Giraffe populations in Africa have significantly declined, prompting the U.S. government to consider adding them to the endangered species list to help protect these iconic animals.
U.S. officials have proposed that giraffes be listed under the Endangered Species Act to provide them with greater protection due to declining populations and threats from habitat loss and poaching. This move by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aims to enhance conservation efforts and ensure the survival of giraffes in the wild.
The Wilds, a conservation center in Ohio, celebrated the birth of an endangered baby giraffe, marking a significant achievement for the species. The Masai calf is the 22nd giraffe born at the center, and both the mother and father have a history of successful breeding. The birth was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, which aims to improve the genetic health and diversity of endangered species. Masai giraffes are facing threats such as habitat loss, civil unrest, poaching, and environmental changes, leading to a nearly 50% decline in their population over the past three decades. The Wilds and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have contributed over $172,000 to conservation projects for giraffes in their native habitats.
A 10-year-old Masai giraffe named Penelope and her one-month-old calf, Zuri, died just days apart at the Cameron Park Zoo in Texas. Penelope became ill and passed away, followed by her calf. The zoo is conducting necropsies and an independent review to determine the cause of their deaths. Masai giraffes are an endangered species known for their distinctive blotches and can live up to 13 years, reaching heights of 13 to 17 feet and weighing over 4,000 lbs.
Milwaukee County Zoo's second giraffe, Rahna, was humanely euthanized due to age-related health issues, just a week after the unexpected death of Bahatika. Rahna, a 30-year-old female giraffe, had been monitored by animal care staff for some time. The zoo's giraffe building will reopen on March 30.