There are nine recognized subspecies of giraffe. All of them live in geographically distinct areas across Africa. While most populations are in decline, only two subspecies of giraffe are listed as endangered: the Rothschild’s and West African. But following a recent review, another five subspecies will likely be reclassified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as endangered or critically endangered.

Gliding across the landscape smooth as water, the groups—called towers—are virtually silent in their quest for leaves. With hooves the size of dinner plates attached to six-foot-long legs, even an effortless stroll can carry them 10 miles per hour. It takes a 20-pound heart in an adult giraffe to pump blood up its characteristic long neck. Fuzzy little horns called ossicones poke from the top of the giraffe’s giant head. Deep, dark eyes dramatically fringed with thick lashes peer down at the world…and at that stand of tasty prickly trees. The giraffe is perfectly equipped with an 18-inch long prehensile tongue that can reach between needlelike thorns for juicy leaves, a well-padded mouth, and saliva thicker than motor oil that helps send said vegetation southward. Its large, powerful jaw moves sideways and up and down, making the animal completely enchanting while it’s chewing. The two-story-tall vegetarian has been thriving across Africa for millennia.

Until now.

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