John,

Following a 2017 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity and our allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finally proposed Endangered Species Act protections for giraffes.

Now these long-necked browsers need final protection before it’s too late.

Recognizing that giraffe populations are declining because of poaching, habitat loss, and climate change, the Service is proposing to grant all giraffes protections, wherever they live in Africa. But not everyone supports this decision — the United States is a leading global importer of giraffe products, which are used for knife handles, rugs, decor, and other trinkets. Few people are aware that, on average, at least one trophy-hunted giraffe is imported into the United States every day.

Tell the Service that after years of delay, it’s past time for the agency to step up and do its part to save these spotted icons from extinction.