The Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa antiquorum[2] or Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum) is a species or subspecies of giraffe found in northern Cameroon, southern Chad, the Central African Republic, and possibly western Sudan.[3] They usually live in tree savannas, bush savannas and thorn savannas.[4] Compared to most other subspecies, the Kordofan giraffe is relatively small at 3.8 to 4.7 meters,[5] with more irregular spots on the inner legs. There are around 2,300 individuals living in the wild.[6] In the wild, female Kordofan giraffes live in loose groups, whilst males live solitary.[4] They have an average lifespan of around 35 years.[4]
The population in the Bénoué Complex, Cameroon (a landscape that consists of three national parks: Bénoué National Park, Faro National Park, Bouba Njida National Park); interconnected by 29 hunting zones), numbers fewer than 300 individuals as of 2023.[8] Illegal hunting represents the greatest threat to the subspecies, particularly in Bénoué National Park, where it may become locally extinct without further conservation interventions.[8]
The Kordofan giraffe eats a variety of sticks, leaves and bark, usually of Acacia trees. Additionally they eat grasses, buds, as well as seeds.[9] Like other giraffes, they classify as herbivores.[4]
The Kordofan giraffe has spots similarly to other giraffe subspecies. They are even-toed ungulades and walk on long legs. Compared to other subspecies they are rather small; males are on average 6 meters tall, females reach a height of 4,5 meters.[10] Their shoulder height lies between 2 meters for females to 3,5 meters for males.[10] On top of that they have more irregular spots on the inner legs.
They have a blue tongue, which is around 50 centimeters long.[4]
Diet
Like other giraffe subspecies, the Kordofan giraffe is a herbivore. Its diet consist of a variety of grasses, shrubs, buds, branches, leaves and bark, as well as seeds.[4][9] Their main food source comes from the Acacia trees.
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