Updated geographic range maps for giraffe, Giraffa spp., throughout sub‐Saharan Africa, and implications of changing distributions for conservation

Abstract

Giraffe populations have declined in abundance by almost 40% over the last three decades, and the geographic ranges of the species (previously believed to be one, now defined as four species) have been significantly reduced or altered. With substantial changes in land uses, loss of habitat, declining abundance, translocations, and data gaps, the existing geographic range maps for giraffe need to be updated. We performed a review of existing giraffe range data, including aerial and ground observations of giraffe, existing geographic range maps, and available literature. The information we collected was discussed with and validated by subject‐matter experts. Our updates may serve to correct inaccuracies or omissions in the baseline map, or may reflect actual changes in the distribution of giraffe. Relative to the 2016 International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Assessment range map, the updated geographic range maps show a 5.6% decline in the range area of all giraffe taxa combined. The ranges of Giraffa camelopardalis (northern giraffe) and Giraffa tippelskirchi (Masai giraffe) decreased in area by 37% (122432 km2) and 4.7% (20816 km2) respectively, whereas 14% (41696 km2) of the range of Giraffa reticulata (reticulated giraffe) had not been included in the original geographic range map and has now been added. The range of Giraffa giraffa (southern giraffe) showed little overall change; it increased by 0.1% (419 km2). Ranges were larger than previously reported in six of the 21 range countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe), had declined in seven (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Malawi, Niger, Uganda, and Zambia) and remained unchanged in seven (Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, eSwatini, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, and South Africa). In Kenya, the ranges of both Giraffa tippelskirchi and Giraffa camelopardalis decreased, but the range of Giraffa reticulata was larger than previously believed. Our updated range maps increase existing knowledge, and are important for conservation planning for giraffe. However, since rapid infrastructure development throughout much of Africa is a driver of giraffe population declines, there is an urgent need for a continent‐wide, consistent and systematic giraffe survey to produce more accurate range maps, in order to inform conservation and policy planning.

Giraffe taxonomy, geographic distribution and conservation

“…Put another way, 87% of publications that use a Latin name for giraffes consider them to be a single species. One rationale for adopting an unorthodox taxonomy, that is one that differs from the IUCN Red List based upon the GOSG consensus, is that ‘it is based on the most in‐depth analysis of genetic evidence and gene flow from wild giraffe throughout Africa’ (O'Connor et al., 2019). However, other academic publications question whether the taxonomy adopted by O'Connor et al.…”

“…However, other academic publications question whether the taxonomy adopted by O'Connor et al. (2019) reflects the ‘most in‐depth analysis of genetic evidence’ (Petzold & Hassanin, 2020; Stanton et al., 2019), so the giraffe ‘taxonomic quandary’ (Bercovitch & Deacon, 2015) continues.…”

“…Recently, O'Connor et al. (2019) have concluded that the geographic range of giraffes has contracted by about 6% based upon a comparison of the IUCN Red List map for G. camelopardalis , along with some additional information. However, their conclusions are premature.…”

“…O'Connor et al. (2019) consider the giraffes living in Ethiopia to be reticulated, not Nubian, giraffes. Notwithstanding the taxonomic discrepancy, they state that the ‘previously recognised IUCN range area (km 2 )’ for these giraffes in Ethiopia is 94,837 km 2 , and that the ‘previously recognised IUCN range area’ for giraffes residing in South Sudan is 89,004 km 2 , producing a total range area of 183,841 km 2 .…”

“…Their numbers have plummeted by close to 40% over the last thirty years, so designing, developing and implementing conservation action plans and programmes requires accurate information on population sizes, trends and geographic distributions. Recently, the taxonomy of giraffes has been revised in multiple ways (Bercovitch et al., 2017) and a new report suggests that their geographic distribution in Africa is about 6% less than that reported on the IUCN Red List (O'Connor et al., 2019). The purpose of this review is to establish a framework for effective conservation efforts of giraffes by discussing the foundations of taxonomy, the taxonomy of giraffes and the geographic distribution of giraffes and proposing a plan for the future.…”