Once a dominant male has been established, the herd lives very peacefully. Click here or picture for full size image. The giraffe has very few predators. Calves may be taken by hyena, leopards and African wild dogs. The lion is their main natural predator.
Man however is their most deadly predator.
It's a shame that man is a predator to any animal, but we continue to hunt the giraffe mainly for its hide. Jewelry, particularly bracelets, are made from the hide. Stores and restaurants in Africa still sell giraffe meat. In a fight with a lion, the giraffe will kick out with its heavy hooves. The giraffe is a protected species in East Africa.