‘Demand for giraffe is increasing because there are no
regulations – it’s so easy to obtain, you don’t need a permit to buy it’

. Josh GabbatissScience Correspondent @josh_gabbatiss The Independent

Urgent restrictions are needed on the international trade in giraffe bones
and spotted hides, a coalition of African countries has said.
Populations of giraffes have fallen by up to 40 per cent in the last 30
years, driven by poaching, habitat loss and human conflicts across much of
their range.
But while sales of elephant and rhino products face ever tighter controls,
the “silent extinction” of giraffes has so far been overlooked.

Campaigners have warned that the flood of hunting trophies, giraffe bone
ornaments and hides is contributing to their demise.
A group of 30 concerned African states is now pushing for giraffes to
receive special protection under CITES, an international treaty that
controls the trade in endangered species.

The members of the…