June 21
World Giraffe Day
June 21, the longest day of the year, celebrates the animals with the longest necks. This holiday was created by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). According to estimates, there are fewer than 80,000 giraffes in the wild, and their population has declined by 40% in the last thirty years. According to biologists, they are at risk of extinction and therefore giraffes have been placed on the official list of endangered animals.
The giraffe population is decreasing due to the loss of their natural habitat and hunting by humans. Poachers often only take the giraffe's tail, which is used to make bracelets or as a fly swatter. Tourists also contribute to the decline by buying giraffe tails as souvenirs. Trophy hunters, who kill animals for pleasure, are another threat to giraffes. Giraffes can reach a height of up to 5 meters and weigh over 800 kg. They have excellent eyesight and unique patterns on their skin. Giraffes are herbivores and mainly eat leaves from acacia trees. They can go without water for long periods of time and spend around 4 hours a day sleeping. Giraffes communicate through ultrasonic sounds and can run at speeds of up to 51 km/h. They mate throughout the year and have a gestation period of about 15 months. Giraffes live in mixed herds and have few natural predators, but humans pose the greatest threat to their survival. Giraffes can be seen in various zoos in the Czech Republic, such as Prague Zoo and Brno Zoo.
