Giraffa tippelskirchi tippelskirchi

(Matschie, 1898)

Vernacular names
English : Masai Giraffe
French : Girafe Masaï

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Cetartiodactyla
Family : Giraffidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known. Giraffe taxonomy is constantly being revised and subspecies numbers, validity and splitting may change.

Identification
Body height of 6 meters, weight of 1930 kg. Fairly distinct from other giraffe species. It has yellow to light beige background colors with dark brown tree-leaf shaped blotches, becoming smaller and lighter on rump and legs.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in eastern Africa, mostly around southern Kenya and Tanzania. Found in savannas and open woodlands, always with acacia trees.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Not listed
Status : More than half of the population has been lost in three generations, making this species Endangered. Habitat loss and poaching are threats.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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