Because of that, the group has added giraffes to its watchlist of threatened and endangered species. They have been labeled as vulnerable.
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Giraffes were previously listed as "in danger."
There were between 151,000 and 163,000 giraffes in the world in 1985.
Last year, there were only 97,562.
Scientists say habitat loss is most to blame, with poaching and disease contributing to the decrease.
The IUCN presented its findings this week in Mexico.
For more on the giraffe population decline and other animals that are in danger of becoming extinct, read the group's report here.
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