Current:Home > MarketsSpotless giraffe seen in Namibia, weeks after one born at Tennessee zoo -Momentum Wealth Path
Spotless giraffe seen in Namibia, weeks after one born at Tennessee zoo
View
Date:2025-04-16 16:04:31
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! (878)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Man wins $1 million on Mega Millions and proposes to longtime girlfriend
- Kensington Palace Is No Longer a “Trusted Source” After Kate Middleton Edited Photo, AFP Says
- Meet John Cardoza: The Actor Stepping Into Ryan Gosling's Shoes for The Notebook Musical
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Prince William and Prince Harry appear separately at ceremony honoring Princess Diana
- Russian media claims Houthis have hypersonic missiles to target U.S. ships in the Red Sea
- Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm in New Jersey would have 157 turbines and be 8.4 miles from shore
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Why Dr. Terry Dubrow Says He Will Definitely Give Ozempic Another Try
Ranking
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Saquon Barkley expresses regret over Giants exit as he begins new chapter with Eagles
- AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the Illinois presidential and state primaries
- 1-year-old boy killed in dog attack at Connecticut home
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Kacey Musgraves offers clear-eyed candor as she explores a 'Deeper Well'
- Chiefs signing Hollywood Brown in move to get Patrick Mahomes some wide receiver help
- Tornadoes ravage Ohio, Midwest; at least 3 dead, damage widespread
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Republicans push back on new federal court policy aimed at ‘judge shopping’ in national cases
New York City St. Patrick's Day parade 2024: Date, time, route, how to watch live
NWSL kicks off its 12th season this weekend, with two new teams and new media deal
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
Severe storms rake Indiana and Kentucky, damaging dozens of structures
Vikings land first-round NFL draft pick in trade with Texans, adding ammo for possible QB move
Riders can climb ‘halfway to the stars’ on San Francisco cable car dedicated to late Tony Bennett