A unique event unfolded at Bright’s Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee, where a baby giraffe was born without spots, believed to be one-of a kind worldwide.
The calf, born on July 31, is solid brown, defying the usual giraffe pattern. Standing tall at 6 feet, it is now open for public viewing.
Zookeepers report that the calf is thriving under its mother’s care.
The zoo seeks the public’s help in naming the baby giraffe and has narrowed down options to four names: “Kipekee,” “Firyali,” “Shakiri,” and “Jamella.” A Facebook poll (Facebook Contest) will decide the name, with voting ending on Labor Day (Monday, September 4, 2023)
Tony Bright, founder of Bright’s Zoo, emphasized the birth’s significance in spotlighting giraffe conservation. “Wild populations are silently slipping into extinction, with 40% of the wild giraffe population lost in just the last three decades,” he said.
Bright’s Zoo plays a role in giraffe preservation through a successful breeding program and support for organizations like Save Giraffes Now in Africa.
Situated in Limestone, Tennessee, near the North Carolina border, Bright’s Zoo is a USDA-licensed, private institution accredited by the Zoological Association of America.
