Remaining giraffes endangered

Signifying a further breakdown in some of West Africa's environmental ecosystems, the last giraffe population in the region has shrunk from just 100 to a much smaller and endangered number found in Niger's Koure region, 60 km east of the capital Niamey.

A conference on 'The Future of the West African Giraffe' taking place in Niamey, heard that termination of a project to protect the animals, coupled with felling of Niger's forests for timber constitute a major threat to the animals' population, the Daily Trust newspaper of Nigeria reported on Friday. Disease, poaching, crime and road accidents have also reduced their numbers, it added.

"Four years ago, major efforts were made by the giraffe project for the preservation of the species, leading to an increase in the giraffe population, whose numbers doubled to one hundred. If [new] measures are not taken, the last giraffe populations could become extinct or migrate to other regions conducive for their survival", Nigerian wildlife scientist Omar Ahmed was quoted by the newspaper as telling the conference.

Niger's giraffe population reduced from 3,000 to only 40 within decades due to desertification and poaching, the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) reported the country's minister of wildlife Akoli Daouel, saying in August last year. The Minister told the BBC at the time that new measures would be taken to protect wildlife.

The giraffes reportedly now invade neighbouring fields, causing extensive damage to crops and angering farmers - a situation that has a negative impact on the cohabitation between giraffes and human populations. "A conducive habitat and safety are no longer guaranteed for giraffes. They are chased and sometimes even killed by farmers," Ahmed was quoted saying.

Between April and August 1996, a dozen giraffes were killed by soldiers who were ordered by the president's office to capture the animals for presentation as gifts to leaders of friendly and neighbouring countries, the Daily Trust reported.