The Rothschild's Giraffe Project

There are currently nine recognised sub-species of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) accross Africa, based on historic observations of coat patterns and range.

However recent advances in genetics have allowed a more in-depth biological analysis of these sub-species and in 2007 this genetic testing demonstrated that there may be at least six different species of giraffe, as opposed to just one as previously thought.

This means that what we thought were sub-species of giraffe could actually be seperate species, or at least represent distinct evolutionary units.

Interestingly, the two giraffe populations that live closest to each other - the reticulated giraffe (G. c. reticulata) of northern Kenya and the Masai giraffe (G. c. tippelskirchi) in southern Kenya - separated genetically between 0.13 and 1.62 million years ago.

The implications of this study are huge, as the author David Brown highlights, "Lumping all giraffes into one species obscures the reality that some kinds of giraffe are on the brink. Some of these populations number only a few hundred individuals and need immediate protection."

The Rothschild's giraffe is one such sub-species with only a few hundred individuals remaining. Genetic studies show that the Rothschild's giraffe is genetically distinct, having split from other giraffe around 0.27 million years ago.

Its unique genetic material may mean that the Rothschild's giraffe is now a distinct species of giraffe - but whether a new species or not, it represents a unique lineage and evolutionary potential that needs to be protected.

An article on this sub-species genetic work can be found here.

The reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) has very clearly defined patches that are normally a bright orange-brown colour. These patches have sharp edges and are separated by bold, bright white lines.

The maasai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) has irregular brown patches with jagged edges on a brown-cream background. The maasai giraffe tends to be the darkest giraffe sub-species.