Reticulated giraffe

The reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata), also known as the Somali giraffe, is a subspecies of giraffe native to the Horn of Africa. It lives in Somalia, southern Ethiopia, and northern Kenya.[2] There are approximately 8,500 individuals living in the wild.[2] The reticulated giraffe was described and given its binomial name by British zoologist William Edward de Winton in 1899, however the IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies.

Reticulated giraffe
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Giraffa
Species:
G. camelopardalis
Subspecies:
G. c. reticulata
Trinomial name
Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata
(De Winton, 1899)
Range map in red
Synonyms

Giraffa reticulata

Reticulated giraffes can interbreed with other giraffe species in captivity or if they come into contact with populations of other species in the wild.

Together with the Rothschild's giraffe, it is by far the giraffe that is most commonly seen in zoos.[3] Its coat consists of large, polygonal, liver-colored spots outlined by a network of bright-white lines. The blocks may sometimes appear deep red and may also cover the legs. Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world.[4]

Taxonomy

The IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies, one of which is the reticulated giraffe.[1][5] All living giraffes were originally classified as one species by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The subspecies was described and given a binomial name Giraffa reticulata by British zoologist William Edward de Winton in 1899.

Distribution and habitat

Reticulated giraffes historically occurred widely throughout Northeast Africa. Their favored habitats are savannas, woodlands, seasonal floodplains, and rainforests.

Reticulated giraffes at Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Conservation

To save the remaining 9,000, or so, Reticulated giraffes, several conservation organizations have been formed. One of these organizations is San Diego Zoo Global's "Twiga Walinzi" (meaning Giraffe Guards) initiative. Their work includes hiring and training local Kenyans to monitor 120 trail cameras in Northern Kenya (Loisaba Conservancy and Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy) that capture footage of wild giraffes and other Kenyan wildlife; developing a photo ID database so individual giraffes can be tracked; informing rangers of poaching incidents and removing snares; caring for orphaned giraffes; and educating communities about giraffe conservation.

In zoos

Along with the Rothschild's giraffe, the reticulated giraffe is the most common giraffe found in zoos. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado is said to have the largest reticulated giraffe herd in all of North America.[6] Reticulated and Rothschild's giraffes have been bred together in the past. This was done because it was thought that the giraffe subspecies interbred in the wild. However, new research that was done in 2016 discovered that the separate giraffe populations do not interbreed.

Few zoos have distinct Rothschild's giraffe or reticulated giraffe herds. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park,[7] Bronx Zoo,[8] and Chester Zoo[9] have herds of just Rothschild's giraffe. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo,[6] Busch Gardens Tampa,[10] The Maryland Zoo,[11] Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo,[12] and Binder Park Zoo all have strictly reticulated giraffe herds. However, some zoos still breed Rothschild's giraffe and reticulated giraffes.

References
  1. Muneza, A.; Doherty, J.B.; Hussein Ali, A.; Fennessy, J.; Marais, A.; O'Connor, D.; Wube, T. (2018). "Giraffa camelopardalis ssp. reticulata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T88420717A88420720. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T88420717A88420720.en. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  2. "Rare white giraffes spotted in Kenya conservation area". Naaman Zhou, The Guardian, 14 September 2017. Accessed 14 September 2017.
  3. ISIS (2010). Giraffa. Version 1 October 2010
  4. "Giraffe | National Geographic". 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  5. Bercovitch, Fred B.; Berry, Philip S.M.; Dagg, Anne; Deacon, Francois; Doherty, John B.; Lee, Derek E.; Mineur, Frédéric; Muller, Zoe; Ogden, Rob (2017-02-20). "How many species of giraffe are there?". Current Biology. 27 (4): R136–R137. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.039. ISSN 0960-9822. PMID 28222287.
  6. "Giraffe Facts | CMZoo". www.cmzoo.org. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
  7. Carmignani, Karyl (2016-06-22). "Safari Park Longnecks". ZOONOOZ. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  8. "Carter Giraffe Building - Bronx Zoo". bronxzoo.com. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  9. "Rothschild's Giraffe | Mammals | Chester Zoo". www.chesterzoo.org. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  10. "Find & Learn About Our Giraffes | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay". buschgardens.com. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  11. "Reticulated Giraffe - The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore". The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  12. "African Grasslands". www.omahazoo.com. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
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