One-of-a-kind spotless giraffe born in Tennessee zoo
Animal fans will have no trouble “spotting” this cute new addition at a Tennessee zoo.
A baby giraffe was born without any spots at The Brights Zoo and is believed to be the only living one of her kind.
The zoo welcomed the giraffe — who has yet to be named — on July 31, causing officials to seek expert opinion over the fully-brown, spotless calf, WJHL reported.
“Giraffe experts believe she is the only solid-colored reticulated giraffe living anywhere on the planet,” Bright’s Zoo said in a statement.
Although there have been previous reports of spotless giraffes in the past; the calf in Brights Zoo, located in Limestone in North East Tennessee, appears to be the only one which is fully-brown as opposed to fully-white.
The baby giraffe currently stands at six-feet tall and is “thriving” under the care of her mother, who has been pictured watching over her miraculous baby, who recently debuted to zoo goers.
Tony Bright, the zoo’s founder, has not yet commented on why the giraffe could be missing its spots, but said the newborn’s popularity is helping raise awareness over its endangered species.
“The international coverage of our patternless baby giraffe has created a much-needed spotlight on giraffe conservation,” Bright said in a statement. “Wild populations are silently slipping into extinction, with 40% of the wild giraffe population lost in just the last 3 decades.”
Reticulated giraffes, in particular, are among the most endangered, with its population of 36,000 dwindling in half between 2008 and 2018, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
Along with chances to see the spotless giraffe, the Brights Zoo is also asking the public’s help in choosing a name for the calf.
The zoo has narrowed it down to four names, each with a nod to Swahili, the language used in the reticulated giraffes’ native Eastern Africa.
The names are Kipekee, meaning unique; Friyali, meaning extraordinary; Shakiri, meaning she is most beautiful; or Jamella, meaning one of great beauty.
The zoo will begin taking in the public’s choices starting Tuesday.
