Niger giraffes face extinction

The authorities in Niger say the number of giraffes in the country has dramatically decreased from around three thousand to only forty over the past few decades.

The Minister in charge of wildlife Akoli Daouel said poaching and desertification were to blame.

He announced new measures to reverse the trend, which include fines and prison sentences for poachers.

He said a programme of public awareness was also needed to save what was one of the country's main tourist attractions.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service