Giraffe and okapi: Africa’s forgotten megafauna
The Giraffidae family includes only two living species of ungulates: the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and the okapi (Okapia johnstoni), both restricted to the African continent. Taxonomically, the Giraffa and Okapia genera separated from each other approximately 16 million years ago (Hassanin et al., 2012), and they now exhibit as many differences as similarities. Today Okapia […]
The status of and trade in the South African population of giraffa camelopardalis giraffa (South African giraffe)
The South African population of Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa is estimated at between 21,053 and 26,919 individuals, of which between 11,411 and 14,860 individuals occur within national and provincial nature reserves. The species is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Regional Red List, the national population is well managed and increasing, and the species is […]
Giraffe south of the Niger-Benue river system
Although giraffes have been seen occasionally south of the Niger river, there is no evidence that permanent populations occur in this area) and presumably the giraffes either die or return to the northern side. The southern habitats may be unsuitable for two reasons. First, human harassment and habitat modification may prevent the establishment of viable […]
The Mammals of Nigeria
Distribution: scattered localities in northern Guinea, Sudan, and Sahel savanna zones; not recorded south of the Niger-Benue rivers in Nigeria (Happold 1969, 1978b) (Map 98). Localities: Benue-Pai river region (Lewis 1955); Chingurme-Duguma GR, Kambari GR (Hall 197 6); Falgoro GR (Henshaw and Child 1972); Lame GR (Hall 1976); Sambisa GR (Hall 1976). Old localities not […]
Population Status and Trend of the Maasai Giraffe in the Mid Kenya-Tanzania Borderland
Among the nine sub-species of giraffes, the Maasai giraffe is the most widespread and common in Northern and Southern Kenya. Although it’s considered by the IUCN to be a species of no conservation concern, they have been reported to have declined in some of their range areas mostly due to bush meat activities, habitat fragmentation […]
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 […]