The giraffes of Niger, the last West African giraffes

The giraffes of Niger are the last West African giraffes. This last remaini ng population, reduced to less than 100 individuals, is found in the Koure area and the northern part of the Dallol Bosso, one hundred kilometres East of Niamey. These giraffes live peacefully with humans and cattle, in a non -protected area, without predators. They are threatened by the clearing of their habitat and by poaching. Over the course of the year 1996, more than 30 % of the individuals disappeared, largely due to the numerous captures o rdered by the government of Niger. At the end of 1996, a land use managemen t project based on the giraffes' conservation was implemented in their livi ng area. This project made possible the protection and reconstitution of th e giraffe population. The balanced sex-ratio and significant birth-rate giv es the present population a very good grounding for expansion provided that adequate protection and valorization policies are maintained. Heightened p ublic awareness of the population in general and the political leaders of N iger in particular, is also an important factor. The expansion of this popu lation will be possible only within the framework of an economic developmen t program based on the conservation and valorization of natural resources, on the one hand, and on the management of these resources by local rural co mmunities on the other hand. This article introduces the history of the gir affes' presence in West Africa and the recent demographic evolution of the population of giraffes in Niger.