Current:Home > MySpotless giraffe seen in Namibia, weeks after one born at Tennessee zoo -StockLine
Spotless giraffe seen in Namibia, weeks after one born at Tennessee zoo
View
Date:2025-04-17 07:22:05
A rare spotless giraffe was spotted in the wild mere weeks after one was born at a Tennessee zoo, a conservation organization announced in a press release Monday.
The Angolan giraffe was photographed on a private game reserve in central Namibia, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
In July, a spotless giraffe was born at Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee, in what David Bright, the zoo's director, told "Good Morning America" was "definitely a shock."
MORE: American caver hoisted to safety after 12 days in Turkish cave
Following a naming contest, where the zoo asked the public to name the giraffe, the animal was named Kipekee, which means "unique" in Swahili. Bright said Kipekee is "doing well and growing."
"This is our first one without a pattern," said Bright, who has been the director at the private, family-run zoo for the last two decades.
A reticulated giraffe's spotted pattern typically develops in the womb, so giraffes are usually born with their spots clearly visible, according to Bright.
Giraffes are facing a "silent extinction," the Giraffe Conservation Foundation said in a press release, saying there are only 117,000 wild giraffes in Africa.
MORE: Rare giraffe born without spots gets 'unique' name
"That means that there is only one giraffe for every four African [elephants] remaining in the wild. [Giraffes] have already become extinct in at least seven African countries," the conservation organization said. "And, to make matters even worse for these iconic animals, we now know that there are four distinct species of giraffe in Africa."
Before the spotless giraffe in Namibia and at the zoo in Tennessee, the last recorded brown spotless giraffe was at a zoo in Japan in 1972, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
veryGood! (41)
Related
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Princess Kate seen in rare outing for church service in Scotland
- Going local: A new streaming service peeks into news in 2024 election swing states
- Is Ben Affleck Dating Kick Kennedy Amid Jennifer Lopez Divorce? Here's the Truth
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Danny Jansen makes MLB history by appearing in same game for both teams
- 10-year-old boy dies in crash after man stole Jeep parked at Kenny Chesney concert: Police
- How many points did Caitlin Clark score today? Rookie overcomes injury scare in victory
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- California police recover 'abandoned' 10-foot python from vehicle after police chase
Ranking
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Eminem's daughter cried listening to his latest songs: 'I didn't realize how bad things were'
- Authorities arrest ex-sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot a Black airman at his home
- Alabama man shot by police during domestic violence call
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- A judge pauses key Biden immigration program. Immigrant families struggle to figure out what to do.
- Bachelorette Jenn Tran Slams One of Her Suitors for His “Blatant Disrespect” to the Other Men
- Future of sports streaming market, consumer options under further scrutiny after Venu Sports ruling
Recommendation
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
These Secrets About Mary Poppins Are Sweeter Than a Spoonful of Sugar
Pennsylvania museum to sell painting in settlement with heirs of Jewish family that fled the Nazis
Green Bay Packers trade for Malik Willis, a backup QB with the Tennessee Titans
Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
Army private who fled to North Korea will plead guilty to desertion
Christina Hall Lasers Off Tattoo on Wedding Ring Finger Amid Josh Hall Divorce
Today Only! Run to Coach Outlet's Sitewide Sale & Save up to 90% off Bags, Wallets & More Starting at $21