Giraffes, the national animals of Tanzania, have recently become targeted by bushmeat traders and are now under increased threat in the northern parts of country. Recent investigations on wildlife crime in East Africa have indicated that the tall giants are being hunted for bushmeat and animal fat. The bone marrow is also wrongfully believed to have medical value, further driving up the demand. Tanzania is home to the largest population of the endangered Masai giraffes, the subspecies native to East Africa, whose population has declined by more than 50% in recent decades due to poaching and habitat loss. Now giraffe flesh is becoming popular in black markets that trade in illegally acquired game meat. From January to March this year 260kg of giraffe meat was impounded, Manyara acting regional police commander, Limited Mohongole, said. Cases of giraffe killings have been reported by community members in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem in northern Tanzania, especially within the two wildlife corridors of Mswakini and Kwakuchinja.