Page 37 - Waterfall_Issue 2_Feb_2022

The Supersaurus

Extinct in the Wild, and Extinct The other three subspecies reticulata) is limited to the embattled
(dead and gone like the dodo). include the Kordofan giraffe region of North Africa: northern Kenya,
(G. camelopardalis antiquorum) that live southern Somalia, and southern
Despite the upward trend in giraffe mostly up near the Equator. They exist Ethiopia. Today, their numbers and
numbers – the animal is unique to in fragmented populations across East, range are far from accurately known
Africa – it is still in ‘urgent’ need of Central and West Africa. While their and many are outside protected areas.
protection. This is according to the numbers remain precariously low, their Kenyan rangelands and the Laikipia
Giraffe Conservation Foundation population trend is currently positive, Plateau remain their stronghold.
(GCF), which advises the IUCN. particularly in Chad, the Democratic
There are now just over 117 000 giraffe Republic of Congo and Niger. In 2015, the IUCN Red List assessed
left in the wild, yet it is today more their numbers at 8 661. In 2020,
vulnerable to population collapse In 2015, there were 4 776. In 2020, the estimate was 15 985 – an
than even the elephant whose African there were 5 919 – a 24% increase. increase of 85%. But the dramatic
population is three times larger. jump in population rather reflects
But so vulnerable and scattered is the an undercount in 2015 and
The latest taxonomic changes divide Kordofan that the foundation says more accurate surveys since.
the giraffe into four species. it must remain on the IUCN’s list as
‘Critically Endangered’ – that’s one Just like the Supersaurus, the giraffe
Our South African giraffe, formally category above ‘Extinct in the Wild’. is a herbivore. But there the similarity
named the ‘southern or reticulated ends – the Supersaurus is categorised
giraffe’ (Giraffa giraffa giraffa) Then there’s the Masai giraffe (Giraffa as a dinosaur (often referred to as a
is, by far, the most plentiful. giraffa tippelskirchi), the second most super lizard), whereas the giraffe is
The foundation, the world’s only populous species, which is found a mammal. While a giraffe lives for
institution dedicated to monitoring the throughout East Africa, including large an average of 26 years in the wild
status of the giraffe, says there were parts of southern Kenya and central and sometimes over 30 in captivity,
97 562 giraffe in 2016. Today, there and northern Tanzania, with a few in the Supersaurus’ lifespan was
are 117 173. That’s a 20% growth. zambia, where the Luangwa variety, thought to be around 100 years.
once known as Thornicroft’s giraffe,
“Most importantly,” the foundation is now deemed to be a part of the Amazingly, although the giraffe
reported, “numbers are increasing Masai species. It has richer and quite has a long neck, it is too short for
across all of the recently defined four startling chestnut patches divided the giraffe’s mouth to reach water,
species. This is the first time such trends by more vivid white lines than the so it has to spread its front legs
have been reported in modern history.” subspecies we get in southern Africa. and grossly bend its knees.

Our southern giraffe, the species The increasing number of Masai When it does lower its head, one
found in Kruger Park whose south- giraffe is partly due to more accurate can be forgiven for wondering why
eastern region is thought to have the counting as well as enlightened the pressure of the blood coursing
highest concentration of giraffe in the conservation measures. down the thick artery in its neck
world, is distributed throughout most does not burst its brain. In fact,
parts of Southern Africa. They were In 2015, there were 31 611. In 2020, it has a sponge-like apparatus at
decimated by hunters and by loss 45 402 – an increase of 44%. It is likely the base of the brain to absorb
of habitat throughout the 19th and to remain in the category of ‘Vulnerable’ the blood. Likewise, when the
early 20th century. Today, hundreds – that is ‘Vulnerable to Extinction’. giraffe suddenly raises its head it
survive in scattered and vulnerable should, logically, faint as the blood
groups, from South Africa, Namibia The uniquely marked ‘ivy leaf’ pattern descends – but the sponge allows
and zimbabwe, to Mozambique. of the reticulated giraffe (Giraffa the blood to flow back down gently.

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