Page 14 - Dainfern Precinct_Issue1_2022
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NATURE
populous species, which is found
throughout East Africa, including large
parts of southern Kenya and central
and northern Tanzania, with a few in
Zambia, where the Luangwa variety,
once known as Thornicroft’s giraffe,
is now deemed to be a part of the
Masai species. It has richer and quite
startling chestnut patches divided
by more vivid white lines than the
subspecies we get in southern Africa.
The increasing number of Masai
giraffe is partly due to more accurate
counting as well as enlightened
conservation measures.
In 2015, there were 31 611. In 2020,
45 402 – an increase of 44%. It is
likely to remain in the category of
‘Vulnerable’ – that is ‘Vulnerable to
Extinction’.
The uniquely marked ‘ivy leaf’
pattern of the reticulated giraffe
(Giraffa reticulata) is limited to the
embattled region of North Africa:
northern Kenya, southern Somalia,
and southern Ethiopia. Today, their
numbers and range are far from
accurately known and many are found
outside protected areas. Kenyan
rangelands and the Laikipia Plateau
remain their stronghold.
In 2015, the IUCN Red List assessed
their numbers at 8 661. In 2020,
the estimate was 15 985 – an
increase of 85%. But the dramatic
jump in population rather reflects
an undercount in 2015 and more
accurate surveys since.
Just like the Supersaurus, the giraffe
is a herbivore. But there the similarity
ends - the Supersaurus is categorised
South Africa’s giraffe
as a dinosaur (often referred to as a
super lizard), whereas the giraffe is a
“Taller than an elephant but not so thick” mammal. While a giraffe lives for an
average of 26 years in the wild and
– Definition of the giraffe in Samuel Johnson’s 1775 sometimes over 30 in captivity, the
Supersaurus’ lifespan was thought to
Dictionary of the English Language. be around 100 years.
Amazingly, although the giraffe has a
Performance
the 19th and early 20th century. trend is currently positive, particularly long neck, it is too short for its mouth
Today, hundreds survive in scattered in Chad, the Democratic Republic of to reach water, so it has to spread its
and vulnerable groups, from South Congo and Niger. front legs and grossly bend its knees.
Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, to at school is
When it does lower its head, one can
Mozambique. In 2015, there were 4 776. In 2020, be forgiven for wondering why the
based on marks
there were 5 919 – a 24% increase. pressure of the blood coursing down
The other three subspecies the thick artery in its neck does not
and academic
include the Kordofan giraffe But so vulnerable and scattered is burst its brain. In fact, it has a sponge-
(G. camelopardalis antiquorum) that the Kordofan that the foundation says like apparatus at the base of the brain
achievements.
live mostly up near the Equator. it must remain on the IUCN’s list as to absorb the blood. Likewise, when
They exist in fragmented populations ‘Critically Endangered’ – that’s one the giraffe suddenly raises its head
across East, Central and West category above ‘Extinct in the Wild’. it should, logically, faint as the blood
Africa. While their numbers remain Then there’s the Masai giraffe (Giraffa descends – but the sponge allows the
precariously low, their population giraffa tippelskirchi), the second most blood to flow back down gently.
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