A Tennessee zoo has welcomed the rarest giraffe in the world. Brights Zoo in Limestone says the world’s only spotless giraffe was born on July 31, standing at roughly six feet tall. They’re now hoping the public can help name the incredible creature.
- The world is fascinated by the news of the spotless giraffe’s birth. While there have been spotless giraffes in the past — the last recorded was in 1972 in Tokyo’s Uneno Zoo — it’s so rare as to be downright remarkable, and the world is taking notice!
- Brights Zoo hopes the giraffe’s birth will increase conservation efforts around the world. Tony Bright, the founder of the zoo, said in a statement: “The international coverage of our patternless baby giraffe has created a much-needed spotlight on giraffe conservation. Wild populations are silently slipping into extinction, with 40 percent of the wild giraffe population lost in just the last three decades.”
- Giraffes are considered an endangered species. At least reticulated giraffes, which are the ones we’re used to seeing with brown and orange spots. The incredible animals, which are native to Africa, became endangered in 2018, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation revealed. In other words, it’s incredibly important that we do all we can to protect this species before we lose them for good.
- The public has been invited to get involved in naming the new addition. The zoo has narrowed down the name choices to only four. There’s Kipekee, which means “unique”; Jamella, meaning “one of great beauty”; Shakiri, or “she is most beautiful”; or Firyali, which means extraordinary.
- Visitors to Brights Zoo can now see the spotless giraffe in all her glory. They can also voice their votes for what her name should be. However, if you can’t make it to the zoo in person, you’ll be able to vote on the Zoo’s Facebook page from today. The zoo hasn’t announced when voting will close, but all eyes will be on this little animal moving forward, no doubt!
