A first for Namibia: Spotless giraffe sighted
Only about 117 000 giraffes left in Africa
Giraffe have become extinct in at least seven African countries.
The first spotless giraffe has been sighted in Namibia, where it was photographed at the Mount Etjo Private Safari Lodge in central Namibia.
According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), this sighting occurred only weeks after the birth of a spotless giraffe at a zoo in Tennessee, USA, which garnered international headlines.
The GCF said the young Angolan giraffe spotted in Namibia is also the first spotless giraffe recorded in the wild in Africa.
Troubling facts
However, the foundation noted that while this extraordinary plain giraffe has touched many people around the globe, it has not helped to draw attention to the real issue of a silent extinction that giraffe are facing.
It said that there are only about 117 000 giraffe remaining in all of Africa.
"Giraffe have already become extinct in at least seven African countries. And, to make matters even worse for these iconic animals, we now know that there are four distinct species of giraffe in Africa."
The GCF explained that each giraffe has a unique pattern, making them individually identifiable. This trait is of great assistance in counting them, and with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) programmes, exact giraffe numbers can be determined even for large populations.
The foundation said this, however, might be a little more difficult with the spotless giraffe because, while she is unique in herself, she does not have a pattern to distinguish her from others.
"Luckily, giraffe without spots are a rare phenomenon. Indeed, before the discovery of the Namibian spotless Angolan giraffe, there were only two records of such a brown giraffe, both in zoos in Japan in 1972 and most recently in the USA."
The GCF said that while it is not uncommon for colour variations or changes in spot or stripe patterns to be observed in various species, the cause for these variations is often unknown.
"The lack of spots could be caused by genetic mutations or recessive genotypes in one or more genes related to the pattern, but without detailed genetic analysis, these are mere speculations," said Dr Julian Fennessy, GCF’s co-founder and director of conservation.
In trouble
Stephanie Fennessy, GCF’s executive director and co-founder, said maybe there does not always need to be an explanation for everything.
"Why do we not simply marvel about the wonders of nature? Giraffe are in trouble and if we don’t act now, our grandchildren might not be able to see any giraffe in the wild when they grow up. That is what really worries me. But the good news is that it is not too late! If we act now, we can all stand tall for giraffe and secure a future for these gentle giants in the wild."
The GCF believes that the two spotless giraffe can inspire people to stand tall for giraffe and to raise critical funds to conserve Namibia’s unique spotless giraffe baby and all other giraffe populations in the wild in Africa before it is too late.
GCF currently implements and/or supports giraffe conservation efforts in 19 African countries, impacting over 100 million acres of giraffe habitat.
According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), this sighting occurred only weeks after the birth of a spotless giraffe at a zoo in Tennessee, USA, which garnered international headlines.
The GCF said the young Angolan giraffe spotted in Namibia is also the first spotless giraffe recorded in the wild in Africa.
Troubling facts
However, the foundation noted that while this extraordinary plain giraffe has touched many people around the globe, it has not helped to draw attention to the real issue of a silent extinction that giraffe are facing.
It said that there are only about 117 000 giraffe remaining in all of Africa.
"Giraffe have already become extinct in at least seven African countries. And, to make matters even worse for these iconic animals, we now know that there are four distinct species of giraffe in Africa."
The GCF explained that each giraffe has a unique pattern, making them individually identifiable. This trait is of great assistance in counting them, and with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) programmes, exact giraffe numbers can be determined even for large populations.
The foundation said this, however, might be a little more difficult with the spotless giraffe because, while she is unique in herself, she does not have a pattern to distinguish her from others.
"Luckily, giraffe without spots are a rare phenomenon. Indeed, before the discovery of the Namibian spotless Angolan giraffe, there were only two records of such a brown giraffe, both in zoos in Japan in 1972 and most recently in the USA."
The GCF said that while it is not uncommon for colour variations or changes in spot or stripe patterns to be observed in various species, the cause for these variations is often unknown.
"The lack of spots could be caused by genetic mutations or recessive genotypes in one or more genes related to the pattern, but without detailed genetic analysis, these are mere speculations," said Dr Julian Fennessy, GCF’s co-founder and director of conservation.
In trouble
Stephanie Fennessy, GCF’s executive director and co-founder, said maybe there does not always need to be an explanation for everything.
"Why do we not simply marvel about the wonders of nature? Giraffe are in trouble and if we don’t act now, our grandchildren might not be able to see any giraffe in the wild when they grow up. That is what really worries me. But the good news is that it is not too late! If we act now, we can all stand tall for giraffe and secure a future for these gentle giants in the wild."
The GCF believes that the two spotless giraffe can inspire people to stand tall for giraffe and to raise critical funds to conserve Namibia’s unique spotless giraffe baby and all other giraffe populations in the wild in Africa before it is too late.
GCF currently implements and/or supports giraffe conservation efforts in 19 African countries, impacting over 100 million acres of giraffe habitat.
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