Niger - Giraffe area

The giraffe zone is classified Biosphere Reserve of the W Niger National Park region because of the presence of an emblematic species "Giraffa camelopardalis peralta", the last populations of giraffes living in West Africa. The giraffe was widely represented in West Africa at the beginning of the 20th century (Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Niger). The introduction of firearms (resulting in intensive poaching), together with increasing anthropic pressure (expansion of agriculture, clearing and uncontrolled deforestation) will lead, in the fifties, the massive disappearance of giraffes. all West African countries except Niger. Twenty-five years ago, giraffes lived in Niger in the regions of Ayorou and Tillabéry, on the borders of Sirba, Kollo, Say, Boumba, Ouna and Gaya, the northern part of Dallol Bosso. A large herd was observed between Zinder and Agadez (Tanout, Gadabedji) which disappeared following repeated droughts. Thus, in less than thirty years, there will remain only a few dozen giraffes spread over an area of ​​840 km2.