| c 2 = ry = S = =West African Giraffe (Gira/fa camelopar Size: Head and body length (males), 381 kg (1,212.5 id Surviving number: Estimated at 310 34 ft) Weight: 550 - 1 savannah and open woodla ‘Auli Ocean) lis peralta) 2.5 - 18 ft); tall (males), 78.7 - 104.1 cm (2.6 4,254.3 los) Habitat: Southwestern Niger, prefers dry WILDLIFE AS CANON SEES IT Looking up. After falling to a low of just 50 in 1996, the West African giraffe population is growing again, aided by conservation efforts and the absence of predators able to target the world’s tallest terrestrial animal. Temporary groups forage at night, their long necks suited to reaching choice leaves. But to drink or feed on low vegetation, they are obliged to spread their front legs wide, and when fully asleep they curve their necks at extreme angles to rest their heads on a hip or upper rear leg while sitting. Room to stretch out is in short supply due to loss and fragmentation of habitat, and their comeback is far from certain ‘As we see it, we can help make the world a better place. Raising awareness of endangered species is just one of the ways we at Canon are taking action—for the good of the planet we call home. Visit canon.com/environment to learn moreVOL, 224+ NO. 3 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC We tell our families we comte for the money. But really, we come to escape.” age 86 Red means force. White signifies purity. The traditional hues adorn members of the Bobongo Iyaya dance group, which has been performing in Kinshasa since 1987. September 2013 Rising Seas They're inevitable, And they'e sure to be costly— especially it we don't prepare. Coastal cities are turning to the Netherlands for guidance. By Tim Folger Photographs by George Steinmetz Australia’s Big Bird The cassowary is a standout: Six feet tall, 160-plus pounds, and dad sits on the eggs. By Olivia Judson Photographs by Christan Ziegler Climbing Untamed Antarctica The first thing that the team members learned: Don't attach yourself toa kite, By Freddie Wilkinson Photographs by Cory Richards Space Mountains Planets have them too. And they dwarf Everest By Luna Shyr JR: Prince of Prints From Cuba to Kenya, the bold artist makes political points with his giant portraits. By Melody Kramer Photograph by Marco Grob Urban Pulse of the Congo The miracle of Kinshasa is that amid the chaos of this capital city, artists survive and thrive. By Robert Draper Photographs by Pascal Maitre Failure Is an Option itor ss al wibioot el at OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY