Giraffes are facing a silent extinction.

Data from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) show that from 155,000 in 1985, the population of the world's tallest mammal has plummeted to 97,000 in 2015 prompting conservationists to classify the animal as vulnerable to extinction.

Silent Extinction

The Red list has rated the long-necked animal vulnerable to extinction from a previous rating of "least concern".

IUCN giraffe specialist Julian Fennessy said that while giraffes are often seen in safaris, zoos and media, people including conservationists are largely unaware that the iconic animal goes through a silent extinction.

"If you go on a safari, giraffes are everywhere," Fennessy said. "While there have been great concern about elephants and rhinos, giraffes have gone under the radar but, unfortunately, their numbers have been plummeting, and this is something that we were a little shocked about, that they have declined by so much in so little time."

Of the animal's nine subspecies, three see improving numbers but five see population decline. One remains stable.

"The species, which is widespread across southern and eastern Africa, with smaller isolated subpopulations in west and central Africa, has moved from Least Concern to Vulnerable due to a dramatic 36-40 percent decline from approximately 151,702-163,452 individuals in 1985 to 97,562 in 2015," the IUCN said in a statement.

Dramatic Decline In Population

The increasing population of humans is seen as a major driver of the declining number of giraffes. Habitat loss, illegal hunting, habitat changes caused by mining and expanding agriculture, civil unrest and increased conflict between human and wildlife are seen as factors that push the species towards extinction.

Giraffes are being killed for their meat, particularly in areas of conflict such as in South Sudan. Drought and climate changes worsen the odds of survival of the animals.

It isn't just for food why the animal is being killed. Its skin, for instance, is used for clothing items. In Tanzania, people think that some parts of the animals can help in treating HIV infection. The animal's bone marrow and brains are believed to cure those who have HIV or AIDS. Freshly cut bones and head of this animal can fetch as much as $140 per piece, a considerable amount of money in poverty-stricken areas.

A study published in September this year has also shown that the giraffe, which appears to be one single creature, is actually composed of four different species that do not normally crossbreed. The discovery has implication on the challenges being faced by efforts to save the giraffe from extinction.