One of the world’s most beautiful animals is quickly disappearing. Fifteen years ago about 140.000 giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) roamed the plains and forests of Africa. Today that number has plummeted by more than 40 percent, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). As with so many other species, the causes of this decline include habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, overhunting and poaching.

From Africa Geographic, www.africageographic.com