The Humane Society of the United States along with Humane Society International have released a report that shows over 50 stores in the United States are selling products made out of Giraffes.
Undercover investigators were able to purchase Giraffe hide shoes, Giraffe bone-handled knives, Giraffe hide bible covers, and a pillow made out of an intact Giraffes face in shops across the United States. In NYC a New York Post reporter was offered a Giraffe skin jacket or giraffe skin shoes while shopping at Anzhelas Custom Tailor Shoes and Accessories in Midtown.
While it's not illegal to sell Giraffe products in the United States, the Humane Society says serious restrictions are needed to assure the animal will not become extinct. The growing popularity of Giraffe made goods has caused a 40% decrease in the animals' population since 1990.
The majority of the Giraffes used to make the products come from South Africa and Zimbabwe, countries that make huge money by luring trophy hunters. In the past decade, over 40,000 giraffe parts were imported to the United States. That is equivalent to 4,000 dead giraffes being turned into sellable goods.
The Humane Society is attempting to have the giraffe listed as an endangered species. The Human Society report claims there are under 100,000 giraffes on the planet.
Photo Credit: Getty Images