TY - JOUR T1 - Updated geographic range maps for giraffe, Giraffa spp., throughout sub‐Saharan Africa, and implications of changing distributions for conservation A1 - O'Connor,David A1 - Stacy‐dawes,Jenna A1 - Muneza,Arthur A1 - Fennessy,Julian A1 - Gobush,Kathleen A1 - Chase,Michael J. A1 - Brown,Michael B. A1 - Bracis,Chloe A1 - Elkan,Paul A1 - Zaberirou,Abdoul Razazk Moussa A1 - Rabeil,Thomas A1 - Rubenstein,Dan A1 - Becker,Matthew S. A1 - Phillips,Samantha A1 - Stabach,Jared A. A1 - Leimgruber,Peter A1 - Glikman,Jenny A. A1 - Ruppert,Kirstie A1 - Masiaine,Symon A1 - Mueller,Thomas AD - San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Escondido CA, USA AD - Faculty of Biological Sciences Goethe University Frankfurt ,Germany AD - National Geographic Partners Washington DC, USA AD - Giraffe Conservation Foundation Windhoek ,Namibia AD - Vulcan Incorporated Seattle WA ,USA AD - Department of Biology University of Washington Seattle WA, USA AD - Elephants Without Borders Kasane ,Botswana AD - Department of Biological Sciences Dartmouth College Hanover NH, USA AD - Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Frankfurt ,Germany AD - Channel and North Sea Fisheries Research Unit Ifremer, Boulogne‐sur‐Mer, France AD - Wildlife Conservation Society New York NY ,USA AD - Sahara Conservation Fund Bussy‐Saint‐Georges, France AD - Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Princeton University Princeton NJ ,USA AD - Zambian Carnivore Programme Mfuwe Eastern Province ,Zambia AD - Northern Michigan University Marquette MI ,USA AD - Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Washington DC ,USA AD - Twiga Walinzi Initiative Laikipia and Samburu Counties Nanyuki, Kenya UR - https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00509/62106/ DO - 10.1111/mam.12165 KW - aerial survey KW - Africa KW - decline KW - endangered KW - geographic range KW - giraffe KW - spatial ecology N2 - Giraffe populations have declined in abundance by almost 40% over the last three decades, and the geographic ranges of the species (previously believed to be one, now defined as four species) have been significantly reduced or altered. With substantial changes in land uses, loss of habitat, declining abundance, translocations, and data gaps, the existing geographic range maps for giraffe need to be updated. We performed a review of existing giraffe range data, including aerial and ground observations of giraffe, existing geographic range maps, and available literature. The information we collected was discussed with and validated by subject‐matter experts. Our updates may serve to correct inaccuracies or omissions in the baseline map, or may reflect actual changes in the distribution of giraffe. Relative to the 2016 International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Assessment range map, the updated geographic range maps show a 5.6% decline in the range area of all giraffe taxa combined. The ranges of Giraffa camelopardalis (northern giraffe) and Giraffa tippelskirchi (Masai giraffe) decreased in area by 37% (122432 km2) and 4.7% (20816 km2) respectively, whereas 14% (41696 km2) of the range of Giraffa reticulata (reticulated giraffe) had not been included in the original geographic range map and has now been added. The range of Giraffa giraffa (southern giraffe) showed little overall change; it increased by 0.1% (419 km2). Ranges were larger than previously reported in six of the 21 range countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe), had declined in seven (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Malawi, Niger, Uganda, and Zambia) and remained unchanged in seven (Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, eSwatini, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, and South Africa). In Kenya, the ranges of both Giraffa tippelskirchi and Giraffa camelopardalis decreased, but the range of Giraffa reticulata was larger than previously believed. Our updated range maps increase existing knowledge, and are important for conservation planning for giraffe. However, since rapid infrastructure development throughout much of Africa is a driver of giraffe population declines, there is an urgent need for a continent‐wide, consistent and systematic giraffe survey to produce more accurate range maps, in order to inform conservation and policy planning. Y1 - 2019/10 PB - Wiley JF - Mammal Review SN - 0305-1838 VL - 49 IS - 4 SP - 285 EP - 299 ID - 62106 ER -