Target: Martha Williams, Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service
Goal: Demand giraffes receive vital, population-restoring protections under the Endangered Species Act.
After being sued by animal conservation groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed that by November 2024, it will decide whether giraffes qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). While we applaud the distant effort, the decision to protect giraffes cannot wait another two years. These iconic animals are, like many others across Africa, highly sought after by poachers, who hunt and trap giraffes for their meat, as well as their pelts, bones, hooves, hair, and tails. As giraffes are not federally protected, the import and sale of their parts is still totally legal throughout the U.S. and other countries across the world.
Giraffe populations are already in decline. Wild giraffe populations have shrunk by an estimated 35% in the last three decades alone. Though giraffe populations might not be as low as those of other endangered species, why should we wait until their populations are reduced further? The time is now to act on behalf of giraffes.
Sign this petition to demand the U.S. afford these animals the protection they deserve under the ESA.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Director Williams,
Over the course of the last three decades, giraffe populations have declined by an estimated 35% worldwide, with multiple subspecies classified as critically endangered. Like many other animals across the African continent, giraffes are subject to extensive poaching, and their hooves, tails, pelts, and bones are legally sold and imported to countries–including the U.S.
While we understand and appreciate your agency’s commitment to reevaluating the giraffe’s EPA status in November of 2024, it doesn’t seem right to wait another two years before deciding to protect these incredible animals. Why not be proactive about the issue instead of waiting until giraffes are at the brink of extinction to act, just as we did with many species of rhinos, elephants, and big cats?
We are asking you, Ms. Williams, to make the decision now to protect giraffe populations before it is too late.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Thomas Fuhrmann
biden put that POS martha williams in charge. She likes to gun down dfenseless animals like the coward that she is. biden needs to remove her but he is too much of a scumbag. I signed.