Brights Zoo in northeastern Tennessee recently celebrated a unique birth. On July 31, a reticulated giraffe was born. This giraffe calf, unlike her speckled mother, came into the world without any spots. This peculiar occurrence is extremely rare.
Giraffes are famous for their height. Standing 14 to 15 feet tall, these creatures are the tallest mammals alive. During birth, their calves impressively measure up to 6 feet tall. Typically, giraffes bear brown spotted skin, covering them from hoof to horn. However, this new giraffe defies the norm with her blank canvas.
This exceptional giraffe has caused quite a stir. The zoo believes her to be the only spotless reticulated giraffe in existence. To confirm her rarity, the zoo reached out to other professionals. Their search revealed just one previous record of an unspotted reticulated giraffe birth, occurring in Japan in the 1970s.
The zoo took to Facebook to share photos of the extraordinary calf. Standing alongside her splotched mother, the contrast is stark. With no name yet, the zoo is asking the public to vote for the calf’s name from four Swahili options.
The choices include Kipekee, meaning unique, Firali, translating to unusual, Shakiri, which means the most beautiful, and Jamella, equating to great beauty. David Bright, the zoo’s director, tells us that the zoo carefully selected these names based on their meaning and personal connection. Voting will conclude on Labor Day.
Sadly, the birth comes at a time when giraffe populations are dwindling. In the wild, only around 16,000 reticulated giraffes remain. Over the past 35 years, populations have decreased by over 50%. However, this spotless giraffe will serve as a beacon of hope for the survival of her species.
