The currently accepted nomenclature and taxonomy of Giraffe places the nine different types into subspecies categories (Dagg 2014). Taxonomic confusion has and continues to surround the subspecies occurrence of Giraffe in southern Africa (G. c. angolensis and G. c. giraffa), and recent research indicates that some populations of each subspecies occur in areas previously assumed to be home to the other subspecies (Fennessy et al. 2013, Bock et al. 2014). Some authorities have suggested that Angolan Giraffe should be elevated into a species, G. angolensis (Groves and Grubb 2011), or as a subspecies of the proposed Southern Giraffe - G. giraffa angolensis (Fennessy et al. 2016). Phylogenetic and taxonomic studies are ongoing.

The Angolan Giraffe is assessed as Least Concern, as the total population in Angola, Botswana and Namibia is estimated to be 14,748 (10,323 mature individuals) and numbers have increased markedly over the last 30 years (three generations). This overall population estimate across the subspecies range may be conservative as gaps in the data might still exist.

The Angolan Giraffe was locally extinct in Angola until recent re-introductions from Namibia. The stronghold of Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis is now concentrated in central and northern Namibia, but its distribution also extends eastwards to central Botswana. Small populations exist in southern Namibia resulting from translocations of northern stock during the past few decades. The majority of the population exists in Etosha National Park, Namibia, as well as on a range of communal and private conservation land in the central areas of the country, and in Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve. After recent re-introductions onto private land in southern Angola, numbers there are estimated at less than 100 individuals. Recent genetic assessments of giraffe in Zimbabwe allude to the existence of Angolan giraffe populations in the country although further studies are required to confirm (J. Fennessy pers. comm). See the Supplementary Information for detailed accounts of the geographic range and population.

The total number of Angolan Giraffe in Botswana and Namibia is estimated to be 14,748: 13,198 individuals (increasing) in Namibia, 1,450 in Botswana and <100 individuals in Angola. In Namibia, 64% occur on private land, commercial and communal conservancies, and 36% on State owned land (Appendix 1). In Botswana, numbers of Angolan Giraffe have increased over the last 30 years, although fluctuations within this period have been recorded in some populations. The overall population estimate across the subspecies range is conservative as gaps in the data might possibly still exist although the estimated total number of 14,748 is assumed relatively accurate. In total, the number of mature individuals is estimated at approximately 10,323.

Angolan Giraffe are found throughout sub-tropical dry savannah habitats in Namibia and central-western Botswana, which experience distinctive wet and dry seasons. The largest sub-population is located in Etosha National Park, the relatively sparse woody vegetation of which consists of combinations of Acacia, Combretum, Commiphora, and Terminalia species, as well as Colophospermum mopane, Catophractes alexandrii, and Ziziphus mucronata (Brand 2007). There are no permanent rivers or watercourses in the 22,270 km² Park, but there are approximately 50 perennial and near-perennial waterholes. The average annual rainfall ranges between 300 mm in the west of the park to 500 mm in the east, which mainly falls between January and April (MET unpub. data).

The range of the subspecies also extends west and south-west of Etosha National Park into similar or more arid habitats (northern and central Namib Desert), where the movements of the Giraffe are focused on the ephemeral river-beds. The riparian vegetation in these areas is comprised primarily of Acacia species, Faidherbia albida, C. mopane, Salvadora persica and Euclea pseudebenus (Fennessy 2009). The average annual rainfall in these desert areas is <100 mm, with coastal fog providing a more predictable source of water for Giraffe and other wildlife (Fennessy 2004). Further to the north-east of the subspecies’ range (e.g. Khaudum National Park and surrounds), in the semi-arid Kalahari sandveld, the tree savannah vegetation includes Baikiaea plurijuga, Pterocarpus angolensis, Burkea africana, Guibourtia coleosperma, as well as various Terminalia, Combretum and Acacia species (Burke 2002, Wanke et al. 2013).

The Angolan Giraffe is largely absent from areas that are densely populated and which have been cleared of woody vegetation for agriculture, such as the area north of Etosha National Park. The subspecies can and does however co-exist with the extensive livestock farming practices used on both commercial and communal farmland across the rest of Namibia. The Angolan Giraffe is absent from ‘true’ desert areas devoid of trees.

Angolan Giraffe are generally found alone or in small groups averaging 3-5 individuals, with herd sizes rarely exceeding 20 individuals (Brand 2007, Fennessy 2004). In Etosha National Park, adult and subadult female Giraffe have been recorded associating with each other over long periods (minimum 6 years) and exhibiting preferred and avoided relationships with each other (Carter et al. 2013a,b). Male ranging patterns and reproductive strategies vary with age and as males mature, they are more likely to be seen alone (Brand 2007). Giraffe calves are born year-round with a peak calving season observed in Etosha National Park between March and June, which relates to a conception peak in the wet season, with monthly conceptions significantly correlated with monthly rainfall (Brand 2007).
    
Angolan Giraffe have non-exclusive, overlapping home-ranges, which vary in size in relation to age-sex class, season and vegetation density. Females are more sedentary than males and exhibit smaller-scale movements (Brand 2007, Carter 2013). Home ranges of Angolan Giraffe generally exceed those of the other Giraffe subspecies due to the aridity of the Angolan Giraffe’s environment. In Namibia, average home ranges observed were as expected smaller for adult females at 96-100 km²  compared with 146-355 km² for adult males (Fennessy 2004, Brand 2007). Despite this, the largest home-range (95% MCPs) recorded is for an adult female at 9,565.2 km² (Flanagan et al. 2016).

The most important threats to the Angolan Giraffe are the loss of suitable habitat, fragmentation of sub-populations due to the increasing use of game-proof fencing, and the potential risk of hybridisation with another subspecies. The local or international trade of Giraffe and Giraffe products is currently unknown, and not assumed to be a threat.

Losses of natural woodland have occurred and continue to occur from the clearing of land for crop cultivation, the cutting of trees for firewood and construction, and the frequent burning of trees through natural or man-made bush fires (USAID 2010). The loss of habitat may in future be compounded by global climatic changes, which are likely to result in increasing aridification across most of Namibia (USAID 2010). As well as impacting Giraffe population sizes by reducing food availability, aridification may result in more frequent and widespread droughts and bushfires. Recent droughts and bushfires in Etosha National Park have resulted in Giraffe deaths.

Most Angolan Giraffe populations exist in protected areas (public, private or communal), however, Giraffe numbers in Namibia were affected by small-scale illegal hunting in the 1980s (Carter 1990). While currently the illegal consumptive use of Giraffe appears to pose little threat, increasing human populations adjacent to Giraffe habitats could exacerbate this in the future.

Hybridisation could, and may have already occurred, either due to the geographic proximity of G. c. angolensis to G. c. giraffa in the north-east of Namibia and in Botswana, or because of past and future translocations of Giraffe between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Ongoing efforts to better understand this threat are underway (J. Fennessy pers. comm).

Most Angolan Giraffe occur in protected areas, communal conservancies and private reserves, and are afforded good protection. Whilst legal hunting of giraffe is possible in Namibia, this practice does not currently pose a threat to giraffe as permits are issued by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and are based on a quota system for each specific area.