**US Government Moves to Protect World's Tallest Land Animal Under Endangered Species Act**

In an unprecedented measure, the US government aims to safeguard the planet's tallest terrestrial creature by placing it under the Endangered Species Act. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced on Wednesday its proposal to add three subspecies of the northern giraffe to the Endangered Species List. This includes the West African, Kordofan, and Nubian giraffes, primarily residing in Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Uganda. These subspecies have experienced a staggering decline of 77% since 1985, driven by habitat loss, climate change, an increasing human population, and poaching activities targeting them for local bushmeat and international trade. Their population has dwindled to a mere 6,000 from approximately 26,000, with the West African giraffes numbering only 690.

Additionally, the FWS proposed classifying the reticulated and Masai giraffes of East Africa as threatened species. These groups have seen a significant population decrease of 67% since the 1970s, with current estimates placing their numbers at 45,400 and 15,985, respectively.

"Federal protections for giraffes will help protect a vulnerable species, foster biodiversity, support ecosystem health, combat wildlife trafficking, and promote sustainable economic practices," stated FWS Director Martha Williams. She emphasized that this initiative supports giraffe conservation while ensuring that the United States does not exacerbate their decline.

The proposal also aims to boost funding for conservation efforts in the countries where these giraffes live and necessitate permits for importing giraffe parts and products into the US, thereby curtailing illegal hunting and trade activities. According to the Humane Society, nearly 40,000 giraffe parts and products were imported into the US during the decade ending in 2018. Tanya Sanerib from the Center for Biological Diversity remarked that the commercial market for items like giraffe-skin pillows and giraffe-bone knife handles will face substantial limitations.

The proposed regulation is currently open for public commentary over the next 90 days.