In a significant taxonomic reclassification, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially recognized four distinct giraffe species in August 2025: the Northern, Reticulated, Masai, and Southern giraffes. This pivotal decision, driven by extensive genetic and anatomical research, marks a fundamental shift from a generalized approach to conservation, acknowledging that each of these giraffe groups possesses unique evolutionary histories and faces specific threats.
The scientific community's understanding of giraffes has evolved considerably. Previously considered a single species with multiple subspecies, recent genetic studies have revealed substantial divergences between various giraffe lineages, comparable to the differences observed between polar bears and brown bears. This reclassification is the culmination of over a decade of research, involving collaboration between institutions like the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and Germany's Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre.
This new understanding has immediate and far-reaching implications for conservation strategies, requiring tailored efforts for each species. The Northern giraffe is the most endangered, with an estimated population of around 7,000 individuals, facing severe threats from political instability and poaching. Masai giraffes, numbering approximately 44,000, are primarily found in Kenya and Tanzania and are contending with significant habitat loss. The Reticulated giraffe, with a population of about 21,000, is largely concentrated in Kenya, though some areas are showing signs of population recovery. The Southern giraffe, the most numerous at around 69,000 individuals, is distributed across southern Africa.
Conservation organizations are responding to this reclassification with intensified efforts. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) operates in over 16 African countries, focusing on critical areas such as habitat preservation and mitigating threats, including large-scale initiatives like the Twiga Tracker, a GPS satellite tracking study. The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is implementing strategies in crucial transboundary areas, such as the Tsavo-Mkomazi region, addressing habitat degradation and poaching through community conservancies and anti-poaching patrols. In 2023 alone, AWF's anti-poaching efforts covered over 8,262 square kilometers, leading to the arrest of twelve poachers.
The recognition of four distinct giraffe species is a call to action, allowing for more precise conservation planning and enabling governments and conservation groups to target resources effectively and develop species-specific strategies. Preliminary assessments suggest three of the four species may qualify for endangered status due to sharp population declines and habitat loss. The efforts of organizations like GCF, which has successfully translocated over 3,000 giraffes, and AWF, which has protected 24% of Africa's giraffe population as of 2023, highlight the critical importance of these focused conservation endeavors.