Endangered Species Act Protection Sought for Giraffes
Africa's giraffe population has plunged nearly 40 percent over the past three decades, largely due to mounting habitat loss, hunting for meat and international trade in bone carvings and trophies.
That's why this week the Center and allies filed to protect giraffes under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The United States imported more than 21,400 bone carvings, 3,000 skin pieces and 3,700 hunting trophies over the past decade, so limiting that import will give giraffes important protections.
"There are now fewer giraffes than elephants in Africa," said the Center's Tanya Sanerib. "It's time for the United States to step up and protect these extraordinary creatures."
Read more in USA Today and check out our new giraffe webpage.