Kordofan giraffe

The Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum) is a subspecies of giraffe found in northern Cameroon, southern Chad, Central African Republic and possibly western Sudan.[2] Historically some confusion has existed over the exact range limit of this subspecies compared to the West African giraffe, with populations in e.g. northern Cameroon formerly assigned to the latter.[2] Genetic work has also revealed that all "West African giraffe" in European zoos are in fact Kordofan giraffe.[2] Compared to most other subspecies, the Kordofan giraffe is relatively small at 5 to 6 meters,[3] with more irregular spots on the inner legs. Its English name is a reference to Kordofan in Sudan. There are around 2,000 individuals living in the wild.

Kordofan giraffe
Kordofan giraffe in Vincennes Zoo, Paris

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Giraffa
Species:
G. camelopardalis
Subspecies:
G. c. antiquorum
Trinomial name
Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum
Range map in teal

The Christian Science Monitor lists only 38 individuals being alive in the embattled Garamba National Park in The Democratic Republic of Congo due to poaching; their skin is used for luxury goods and they are said to produce enough meat to feed poachers for weeks. Recent genetic studies also shows distinct genetic populations of giraffes that makes conservation of these subspecies even more important.[4]

References
  1. Fennessy, J. & Marais, A. (2018). "Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. antiquorum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T88420742A88420817.
  2. Hassanin, A.; A. Ropiquet; A. L. Gourmand; B. Chardonnet & J. Rigoulet (2007). "Mitochondrial DNA variability in Giraffa camelopardalis: consequences for taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of giraffes in West and central Africa". Comptes Rendus Biologies (330): 265–274. doi:10.1016/j.crvi.2007.02.008. ISSN 1631-0691. PMID 17434121.
  3. "Kordofan Giraffe". www.wild-about-you.com. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
  4. Hinckley, Story (28 February 2016). "Why is this rare giraffe almost extinct?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 11 September 2016.


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