Rare spotless giraffe born at Tennessee zoo; public asked to help name her

LIMESTONE, Tenn. — One of the world’s rarest giraffes was born at Brights Zoo in Limestone Tennessee, in July, zoo officials annunced.

Brights Zoo in Limestone welcomed the solid brown giraffe on July 31, ABC affiliate WJHL reported.

“Giraffe experts believe she is the only solid-colored reticulated giraffe living anywhere on the planet,” Brights Zoo stated in a release.

Zoo leaders say there are records of another giraffe without spots being born in Japan in the 1970s.

“From day one we’ve been in contact with zoo professionals all over the country,” said Brights Zoo director, David Bright. “And especially the old timers, that have been around for a long time, ‘Hey, have you seen this? What’s your thoughts?’ And nobody’s seen it.”

Bright said this new giraffe will help with conservation, showing what could happen in the wild.

“It’s better she’s born in captivity,” said Bright. “In the wild, they use those spots for camouflage… By being solid colored, she may not be able to hide quite as well.”

Bright’s Zoo is asking for the public’s help in narrowing down the four chosen names for the unnamed baby giraffe.

• Kipekee – Unique
• Firyali – Unusual or Extraordinary
• Shakiri – She is most beautiful
• Jamella – One of great beauty

Bright said the names will be up on the zoo’s Facebook page Tuesday. Voting will last for two weeks.

“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% of the wild giraffe population lost in just the last 3 decades,” said Bright.

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