African giraffe population in danger of extinction as numbers decline

Giraffes could be facing extinction as their numbers have fallen 40% in the past 15 years, with the population in Africa now fewer than 80,000. Conservationists blame poachers and bush meat hunters for the rapid decline, and note that while other iconic species such as lions and elephants have well-publicised programmes to protect them, nothing has been done for giraffes. This is despite the fact that elephants in Africa outnumber giraffes by almost ten to one. Read more: independent.co.uk