greenfrog Loc: Central NJ

Only one in world: Rare giraffe without spots born in Tennessee zoo, now it needs a name
James Powel USA TODAY

A Tennessee zoo is asking the public to help name a rare spotless giraffe that was born last month.

The giraffe was born at Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tenn., on July 31 and is on view at the zoo. This is the only known spotless giraffe according to zoo officials and the last known example was born at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.

The newborn is a reticulated giraffe, an endangered species that was added to The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List in 2018. Zoo officials are hoping the attention paid to the spotless newborn will help conservation efforts.

“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 three decades,” Tony Bright, the founder of Brights Zoo said in a press release.

Spotless giraffe will have vote to choose name

The zoo will open a vote for the female giraffe’s name on its Facebook page on August 22 where people can choose one of four names:
Kipekee, which means "unique"
Firyali, which means "unusual or extraordinary"
Shakiri, which means "she is most beautiful"
Jamella, which means "one of great beauty"

The vote will remain open until Labor Day.

What is a reticulated giraffe?

The reticulated giraffe is typified by their large brown spots separated by cream colored lines. The animal is native to the Eastern African savannah and is an herbivore, according to the St. Louis Zoo.

Females can reach 17 feet in height and weigh up to 2,600 pounds. The giraffe in Tennessee is currently 6 feet tall.

The spots are primarily for camouflage, however they do play a role in the animal's circulatory system, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Underneath each spot are blood vessels and a giraffe can send blood to these vessels to release heat.
Link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/08/21/reticulated-giraffe-without-spots-born-tennessee-zoo/70645506007/

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Very cool Frog. Thanks for sharing.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Wow, that's interesting. I would have named her SPOT.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Very cool!

Mudbugger Loc: North Central Indiana, just north of Kokomo.

Spotless!

ShortorderCook62 Loc: Grand Junction, Colorado

They can name her anything but that Has to be her nickname!

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Milk Man

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Seen that on the news this morning Greenfrog my vote for the name would be none of them I'd call her SPOT.👍🤪👍Kandy you and I thought alike on that one👍

Rheatown Loc: Greeneville tn

Ya that’s a pretty neat story it’s only about 3-4 miles from my house pass it every day

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

Stage would probably like our oun pictures what do you say?🤪👍

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Wow 😮

Rheatown Loc: Greeneville tn

I’ll see what I can do I’ve actually never stopped there my wife and kids have that’ll be good excuse to check it out two of my friends do all the maintenance there and build the buildings

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

That would be cool if you could share pictures and give us a personalized report on it way cool I'd surely would like to see it in person myself.🙂👍🇺🇸

Rheatown Loc: Greeneville tn

Ya I’m actually north right now at ten thousand islands but when I get home next week I’ll see about going there it’s a really neat zoo kinda privately owned not state I’m happy for him that freak of nature might be all it takes to make his outfit explode hard telling how many people will come from around the world to see it and if he decides to sell it I’d say he could name any price

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

And it's right in your backyard you'll be able to see it grow up I'm wondering if the coloration will change as it gets older be interesting to see🇺🇸👍