US moves to list giraffes under Endangered Species Act for first time

Climate crisis, habitat loss and poaching have reduced its numbers — but will Trump put the kibosh on protections?

Feeding time for a herd of giraffes at Fota Wildlife Park, Cork, which will open to the public who are required to pre-book a time and date. Picture Dan Linehan

They are the tallest animal to roam the Earth and have become an icon of children’s books, toys and awed wildlife documentaries. But giraffes are in decline, which has prompted the US government to list them as endangered for the first time.

Giraffes will be listed under the US Endangered Species Act, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed in a move that will cover five subspecies of the animal. The agency hopes the listing will crack down on the poaching of giraffes, as the US is a leading destination of rugs, pillowcases, boots, furniture and even Bible covers made from giraffe body parts.