Spotless Giraffe: Tennessee Zoo's Rare Marvel

Spotless giraffe born in Bright's ZooPhoto byBright's Zoo

The big story

In a heartwarming event at a family-owned zoo in Limestone, Tennessee, an extraordinary sight graced the world - a rare, spotless giraffe calf was born.

Experts are now suggesting that she might be our planet's sole brown giraffe.

Standing at a remarkable six feet tall, this calf, part of the reticulated giraffe species, defies the conventional spotted appearance of her kin. Officials at Brights Zoo confirm that, despite her distinctive appearance, the calf is in excellent health and flourishing under the vigilant care of her mother.

The zoo's director David Bright describes her as "exceptionally inquisitive" and highlights her sunny disposition among her giraffe peers.

She is very inquisitive. She stays very tight with her mom, doesn’t wander off too far, but she’s very curious what’s going on around her. She has a very positive personality when it comes to giraffes- David Bright, Zoo Director, Brights Zoo

Why it matters?

Fred Bercovitch, a wildlife conservation biologist, speculates that the calf's brown hue likely stems from a specific genetic mutation - an unprecedented occurrence in giraffes.

Typically, reticulated giraffes employ their spotted coats as camouflage in their native East African savannahs, with each giraffe boasting a unique pattern, akin to human fingerprints.

This rare event serves as a poignant reminder of the conservation hurdles confronting giraffes. Only about 16,000 reticulated giraffes remain in the wild, and they're classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting.

Recognizing the importance of the birth of the giraffe calf, Brights Zoo has invited the public to help choose a name for the calf from four options, through their Facebook page: Kipekee (unique), Firyali (unusual or extraordinary), Shakiri (she is most beautiful), and Jamella (one of great beauty).

Voting concludes on September 4, and the zoo is eagerly awaiting the results to christen their extraordinary addition to the animal kingdom.