I was reading an article yesterday that several giraffe species have ended up on the endangered species list, and all giraffes — like so many other animals these days — are at risk. Of those listed, was the reticulated giraffe. I saw many of these awesome creatures in Kenya a few years back. Here, a reticulated giraffe munches on the thorny branches of an acacia tree. I usually like to celebrate the diversity of our world’s wildlife with my blog posts, but according to a study by the World Wildlife Fund in 2014, more than 52% of all the animals in the world have disappeared in the last 40 years. I don’t think people realize just how dire this situation has become and we all need reminding every now and again. Especially because it’s not just about having nice animals around to look at, but also the fact that our ultimate survival depends on theirs. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/250th of a second
Beautiful photo, Sean, of one of our most remarkable species. Who doesn’t love a giraffe or elephant or gorilla or name the beast no matter how great or small? It’s not looking good for this globe, I am sorry to say. When will people learn that harm to the world’s creatures, including us, takes many forms, from direct poaching to mindless, careless casting aside of plastics that end up in our waterways & enter the foodchain?
As I am out and about walking our dog, I look for trash that can be scooped up, along with the waste intended, in a doggy bag. I may never see a poacher in action & probably will never be in a position to stop one, but I can make a small difference by picking up plastics cast aside by thoughtless, ignorant individuals. Dare to join the legions of “litter mates” who make a small difference by picking up one cigarette butt at a time. Somewhere out there a pelican or salmon will be grateful.
Thanks for your continued raising of awareness of the amazing creatures that make our lives so enriched, Sean.
This brings tears to my eyes. Not only are they such beautiful creatures (I see them palm trees within the coat), they and all the other animals don’t deserve what we’ve done to this planet. Thanks for posting about this, Crane.
——- Acacia or bonsai
——- A question. of scale
——- A Myrmeccologist when asked
——- The number of world ants
——- Replied that ant weight was
——- Roughly the same as human
——- Mass
——- It’s easy to address the large
——- More dangerous to ignore
——- The small .
Sean, Thanks so much for reminding us that these amazing images you share with us are potentially but a fleeting visual record of what we have TODAY — not necessarily what will have here TOMORROW. Every day we were on safari brought me endless smiles of the wildlife we saw, and tears for their struggles. We met some of the rangers who try to protect the wildlife from poachers & heard their harrowing stories. We thanked them on behalf of all of us….And yet, your giraffe brings a smile and hope: they are at once powerful and gentle, graceful and ungainly, charming, and silly, and simply gorgeous. We must protect them all.
Thanks Laura. Habitat destruction and loss is by far the biggest threat. We need to stop altering the landscape and let it be so that we can all thrive.
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I was reading an article yesterday that several giraffe species have ended up on the endangered species list, and all giraffes — like so many other animals these days — are at risk. Of those listed, was the reticulated giraffe. I saw many of these awesome creatures in Kenya a few years back. Here, a reticulated giraffe munches on the thorny branches of an acacia tree. I usually like to celebrate the diversity of our world’s wildlife with my blog posts, but according to a study by the World Wildlife Fund in 2014, more than 52% of all the animals in the world have disappeared in the last 40 years. I don’t think people realize just how dire this situation has become and we all need reminding every now and again. Especially because it’s not just about having nice animals around to look at, but also the fact that our ultimate survival depends on theirs.
The virus is hard on everything it encounters, including itself.
And for the most part oblivious to its own power of destruction.
Beautiful photo, Sean, of one of our most remarkable species. Who doesn’t love a giraffe or elephant or gorilla or name the beast no matter how great or small? It’s not looking good for this globe, I am sorry to say. When will people learn that harm to the world’s creatures, including us, takes many forms, from direct poaching to mindless, careless casting aside of plastics that end up in our waterways & enter the foodchain?
As I am out and about walking our dog, I look for trash that can be scooped up, along with the waste intended, in a doggy bag. I may never see a poacher in action & probably will never be in a position to stop one, but I can make a small difference by picking up plastics cast aside by thoughtless, ignorant individuals. Dare to join the legions of “litter mates” who make a small difference by picking up one cigarette butt at a time. Somewhere out there a pelican or salmon will be grateful.
Thanks for your continued raising of awareness of the amazing creatures that make our lives so enriched, Sean.
Thanks Sue. Well said. Unfortunately, short sightedness seems to be one of our dominant traits. We do what we can.
Aww, thanks for reminding me that this is my FAVORITE animal! But looks like he’s wearing a costume, haha.
This brings tears to my eyes. Not only are they such beautiful creatures (I see them palm trees within the coat), they and all the other animals don’t deserve what we’ve done to this planet. Thanks for posting about this, Crane.
I thought the same thing about the palm trees. Thanks Shardae.
——- Acacia or bonsai
——- A question. of scale
——- A Myrmeccologist when asked
——- The number of world ants
——- Replied that ant weight was
——- Roughly the same as human
——- Mass
——- It’s easy to address the large
——- More dangerous to ignore
——- The small .
Sean, Thanks so much for reminding us that these amazing images you share with us are potentially but a fleeting visual record of what we have TODAY — not necessarily what will have here TOMORROW. Every day we were on safari brought me endless smiles of the wildlife we saw, and tears for their struggles. We met some of the rangers who try to protect the wildlife from poachers & heard their harrowing stories. We thanked them on behalf of all of us….And yet, your giraffe brings a smile and hope: they are at once powerful and gentle, graceful and ungainly, charming, and silly, and simply gorgeous. We must protect them all.
Thanks Laura. Habitat destruction and loss is by far the biggest threat. We need to stop altering the landscape and let it be so that we can all thrive.