Giraffe Taxonomy Assessment 2025
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The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group (GOSG) undertook a comprehensive taxonomic review of the genus Giraffa to clarify species and subspecies designations critical to conservation planning and Red List assessments. This revision responds to substantial advances in the understanding of giraffe diversity over the past decade, including new genetic, genomic, morphological, and biogeographic evidence.
Historically treated as a single species with nine subspecies, giraffe taxonomy has been subject to ongoing scientific debate. In response to this need for taxonomic clarity and in light of a series of recently published studies, the GOSG convened a Taxonomic Task Force in 2024/2025 to evaluate current evidence using an integrative framework based on the Traffic Light System — a structured methodology that assesses taxonomic distinctiveness based on converging lines of evidence. This system considers phenotypic traits, genetic divergence, and biogeographic patterns to assign each taxon a level of distinctiveness.
Following an extensive review of published literature, original datasets, and expert consultation, the GOSG now recognizes four distinct giraffe species and their constituent subspecies:
Historically treated as a single species with nine subspecies, giraffe taxonomy has been subject to ongoing scientific debate. In response to this need for taxonomic clarity and in light of a series of recently published studies, the GOSG convened a Taxonomic Task Force in 2024/2025 to evaluate current evidence using an integrative framework based on the Traffic Light System — a structured methodology that assesses taxonomic distinctiveness based on converging lines of evidence. This system considers phenotypic traits, genetic divergence, and biogeographic patterns to assign each taxon a level of distinctiveness.
Following an extensive review of published literature, original datasets, and expert consultation, the GOSG now recognizes four distinct giraffe species and their constituent subspecies:
- Northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
- G. c. peralta (West African giraffe)
- G. c. antiquorum (Kordofan giraffe)
- G. c. camelopardalis (Nubian giraffe)
- Reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata)
- Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi)
- G. t. tippelskirchi (Masai giraffe sensu stricto)
- G. t. thornicrofti (Luangwa/Thornicroft’s giraffe)
- Southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa)
- G. g. giraffa (South African giraffe)
- G. g. angolensis (Angolan giraffe)
