Conservation Genomics of Two Threatened Subspecies of Northern Giraffe: The West African and the Kordofan Giraffe

Two critically endangered subspecies of northern giraffe, the West African and Kordofan, exhibit concerning genetic trends despite recent population recoveries. Analysis of 119 mitochondrial sequences and 26 whole genomes reveals a gradual decline in effective population size over the past 10,000 years for both subspecies, with higher recent inbreeding levels observed in the West African giraffe and Kordofan populations within Garamba National Park. While genome-wide heterozygosity remains moderate compared to other giraffe species, genetic differentiation exists between eastern and western Kordofan populations, suggesting fragmented distribution. These findings underscore the ongoing threats of habitat loss, climate change, and poaching, necessitating close genetic monitoring to preempt further declines in these vulnerable subspecies.

Coimbra, R. T. F., Winter, S., Mitchell, B., Fennessy, J., & Janke, A. (2022). Conservation Genomics of Two Threatened Subspecies of Northern Giraffe: The West African and the Kordofan Giraffe. Genes, 13(2), 221. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13020221