Giraffe populations have declined 40% in 30 years in what conservationists call a silent extinction crisis, with welfare implications across their range.
Giraffes killed by poachers for bushmeat suffer acute suffering during capture and killing, often using cruel methods. Animals translocated for conservation purposes experience high capture-related stress and injury risk, including broken necks during capture operations. Giraffes in fragmented habitats face increased competition, nutritional stress, and vulnerability to predators. Calves orphaned by hunting or vehicle strikes face very low survival rates.