Giraffes face both wild population decline and captive welfare challenges, requiring evidence-based management that addresses their unique physiological and social needs.
Captive giraffes require specialised housing with adequate ceiling height, appropriate feeding station placement at natural browsing height, and sufficient space to move. Poor housing design causes neck and back strain. Social isolation is particularly harmful as giraffes are gregarious. Wild giraffe welfare is primarily threatened by poaching for bushmeat and hides, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. The silent extinction of giraffe populations — receiving far less conservation attention than elephants or rhinos — is a major welfare concern affecting millions of individuals.