Africa’s towering giraffes just got a major reclassification—scientists now classify giraffes into four distinct species instead of one. Using genetic data, anatomical studies, and decades of fieldwork, researchers split them into Northern, Southern, Masai, and reticulated giraffes, each facing unique conservation challenges. Northern giraffes, with only 7,000 left, are among the world’s most endangered large mammals, while Southern giraffes are relatively secure with nearly 69,000 in the wild. Advances in genome sequencing, once prohibitively expensive, have made this breakthrough possible, reshaping conservation priorities. Experts stress that protecting giraffes now requires tailored strategies for each species, ensuring Africa’s gentle giants stand a fighting chance in the wild.
AP
