Giraffes, long thought to be a single species, have now been formally recognised as four separate species.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently confirmed the news following extensive genetic and anatomical studies, a move that experts say will transform conservation efforts.

The species are the Masai, Northern, Reticulated and Southern giraffes. Their genetic differences are as varied as those between polar and brown bears, scientists say.

Population trends differ sharply among the four groups. The Northern giraffe is in crisis, with only around 7 000 of the tall land mammals left in the wild, largely due to conflict and poaching. By contrast, the Southern giraffe has rebounded to nearly 69 000 thanks to dedicated conservation programmes.

The Masai giraffe, numbering about 44 000, faces mounting pressure from habitat loss, while there are approximately 21 000 Reticulated giraffes according to records.

Michael Brown of the IUCN explained: “The more precisely we understand giraffe taxonomy, the better equipped we are to assess their status and implement effective conservation strategies.”

Giraffe Conservation Foundation’s Julian Fennessy added that the revision means each species can now be protected according to its specific needs.

Scientists say the change is “long overdue” and vital to preventing further decline.

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