ナショナルジオグラフィックさんのインスタグラム写真 - (ナショナルジオグラフィックInstagram)「Photo by Ami Vitale @amivitale | Giraffes congregate in Niger's "giraffe zone," a government-defined region where nearly all 600 of the world's remaining West African giraffes coexist with humans. The giraffe is the longest-necked animal on the planet. Their necks alone can measure more than seven feet. Amazingly, they have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans (7), but their vertebrae each happen to measure as much as ten inches long. This iconic creature is in trouble. It's undergoing what's being termed a silent extinction. Estimates are that giraffe populations across Africa have dropped nearly 30 percent in three decades, plummeting from approximately 155,000 in the late 1980s to about 110,000 today. The continent-wide decline is thought to be caused by habitat loss and fragmentation and poaching, but because there haven't been long-term conservation efforts, it's hard to know exactly what is happening. Scientists are now undertaking major studies to better understand why giraffe are disappearing and what can be done to stop it. Empowering indigenous communities will be crucial to saving these and other emblematic species around the world. Follow @amivitale @giraffe_conservation @sdzsafaripark to learn more and get involved. #giraffe #savegiraffe #niger」7月11日 21時38分