Current:Home > StocksSpotless giraffe seen in Namibia, weeks after one born at Tennessee zoo -EquityZone
Spotless giraffe seen in Namibia, weeks after one born at Tennessee zoo
Chainkeen Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 11:59:02
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! (29186)
Related
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- SEC, Big Ten lead seven Top 25 college football Week 6 games to watch
- Opinion: KhaDarel Hodge is perfect hero for Falcons in another odds-defying finish
- Nick Saban teases Marshawn Lynch about Seahawks pass on 1-yard line in Super Bowl 49
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Ken Paxton sues TikTok for violating new Texas social media law
- AP News Digest - California
- Ben Affleck Steps Out With New Look Amid Divorce From Jennifer Lopez
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Barbie releases new doll for Diwali to 'celebrate the power and beauty of diversity'
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- FEMA has faced criticism and praise during Helene. Here’s what it does — and doesn’t do
- Billy Shaw, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Buffalo Bills great, dead at 85
- As affordable housing disappears, states scramble to shore up the losses
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- How Gigi Hadid, Brody Jenner, Erin Foster and Katharine McPhee Share the Same Family Tree
- Steven Hurst, who covered world events for The Associated Press, NBC and CNN, has died at 77
- Homeowners hit by Hurricane Helene face the grim task of rebuilding without flood insurance
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
What is a detox? Here's why you may want to think twice before trying one.
Caitlin Clark Shares Tribute to Boyfriend Connor McCaffery After Being Named WNBA’s Rookie of the Year
Four Downs: A Saturday of complete college football chaos leaves SEC race up for grabs
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
Minnesota Lynx cruise to Game 3 win vs. Connecticut Sun, close in on WNBA Finals
NFL says it's not involved in deciding when Tua Tagovailoa returns from concussion
MLB playoff predictions: Who is the World Series favorite? Our expert picks.