Giraffes split into four species, IUCN reshaping conservation

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has reclassified giraffes on the African continent, recognizing four distinct species where once there was a single identified species. The move, based on genetic data, skull measurements and geographic analysis, assigns giraffes to four groups: Northern, Reticulated, Masai and Southern. The change is expected to reshape conservation planning, funding priorities and national strategies across several countries where these animals live.

Scientists say the shift reflects meaningful evolutionary differences that arose as populations became isolated by deserts, rivers and other barriers. Traditional methods of categorizing giraffes relied heavily on appearance and geography, but newer analyses combined extensive genetic sampling—more than 2,000 individual genomes analyzed over the past decade—with detailed studies of skull shape and other anatomy. While the iconic coats vary within populations, experts emphasize that patterning is not a reliable guide to species boundaries, underscoring the need for a more precise taxonomy to guide protection efforts.

Population estimates illustrate the uneven status across the four species. The...