This portrait of an Angolan Giraffe, aka Namibian Giraffe, Giraffa angolensis or Giraffa giraffa angolensis or Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis is based on my original photo which was made in Etosha National Park, Namibia.
As the two different scientific names for this species suggest, Giraffe taxonomy is currently being debated. Traditionally, and currently the IUCN and most scientists regard the Giraffe as one species with nine subspecies, of which this is one (Giraffa giraffa angolensis). However, there have been several studies this century, which have proposed variously three, four and eight full species. The most supported is the three-species taxonomy, which would make Angolan Giraffe a subspecies of Southern Giraffe, so Giraffa giraffa angolensis.
Watch this space!
Whichever they decide, the Angolan/Namibian Giraffe has a population ranging through northern Namibia, northern Namibia, south-western Zambia, Botswana, and western Zimbabwe, with a further non-contiguous population in south Zimbabwe. The total number of individuals in the wild is 13000 and is believed to be increasing.
This image is copyright © Liz Leyden, all rights strictly as agreed in writing with the author or her agent.
It is for sale as wall art or as various home or personal accessories at Pixels.com or from Fine Art America.
