African nations call for restrictions on giraffe trade after populations fall by 40%

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African nations call for restrictions on giraffe trade after populations fall by 40%

2 March 2019
News
Urgent restrictions are needed on the international trade in giraffe bones and spotted hides, a coalition of African countries has said.

Populations of giraffes have fallen by up to 40 per cent in the last 30 years, driven by poaching, habitat loss and human conflicts across much of their range.

But while sales of elephant and rhino products face ever tighter controls, the “silent extinction” of giraffes has so far been overlooked.

Campaigners have warned that the flood of hunting trophies, giraffe bone ornaments and hides is contributing to their demise.

A group of 30 concerned African states is now pushing for giraffes to receive special protection under CITES, an international treaty that controls the trade in endangered species.