**Proposal to Protect Giraffes Under U.S. Endangered Species Act in Response to Declining Numbers**

Federal wildlife officials announced Wednesday that giraffes, the world's tallest land animals, are facing such a significant decline that they should be listed under the United States Endangered Species Act. This proposal aims to restrict the import of giraffe parts into the United States and boost conservation funding to support the survival of these majestic creatures.

Despite giraffes primarily residing in Africa, the new regulations would have a considerable impact on the import of giraffe parts into the U.S., which saw thousands of items, including trophies, skins, feet, bones, bone carvings, and leather pieces, enter the country in 2022. Officials highlighted that while trade is not the main factor behind the dwindling giraffe populations, it still poses an additional threat.

The proposed regulations would mandate that imports of giraffe parts into the U.S. require special permits, reflecting a stronger stance on conservation. "This action supports giraffe conservation while ensuring the United States does not contribute further to their decline," stated Martha Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the global giraffe population has dropped to about 117,000 in the wild, a nearly 30 percent decrease since the 1980s. The wildlife service noted that northern giraffes have experienced a dramatic decline of 77 percent since 1985, with their numbers plummeting from 25,653 to just 5,919. The species has also entirely disappeared from several West African countries.

This move by federal officials represents a significant effort to curtail further declines and help preserve giraffe populations for future generations.