In war-torn South Sudan, giraffes retain a surprisingly healthy gene pool

Giraffes in South Sudan's conflict-ridden savannas show surprisingly healthy genetic diversity, according to new research. Despite decades of war, these giraffes maintain a well-connected gene pool, highlighting that even regions affected by conflict can harbor significant biodiversity, according to Sam van Giessen, a conservation genomics researcher from the University of Amsterdam.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognizes four species and seven subspecies of giraffes, with South Sudan being home to two subspecies of the critically endangered northern giraffe: the Nubian giraffe and the Kordofan giraffe. Between 1985 and 2025, Nubian giraffe populations in Ethiopia and South Sudan plummeted by 95%.

Currently, there are approximately 235 Nubian giraffes left in South Sudan, scattered across isolated pockets, down from an estimated 15,000 individuals in 1995. To assess the genetic health of these giraffe populations, researchers from the South Sudan government, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, and conservation NGO African Parks analyzed DNA taken from skin biopsies of 30 Nubian giraffes in Boma and Badingilo national parks.

While the small population size raised concerns about inbreeding, the genetic analysis revealed relatively high levels of genetic diversity among the South Sudan Nubian giraffes, suggesting their long-term conservation prospects are promising.