In a rare feat of nature, a Tennessee zoo has become the proud home of what may be the world’s only single-colored giraffe. Born on July 31, the female calf stands a tall 6ft., and is both captivating and mysterious due to its unique brown hue – no patches, spots, or stripes in sight.
Giraffes of this one-of-a-kind shade are almost unheard of, as they typically use their mottled coloring as a form of camouflage in the wild. But packaged within this wondrous giraffe is an even more fascinating purpose for its patches: their skin is made up of a system of key blood vessels which enable the animal to regulate its temperature.
A marvel of nature, this singularly colored giraffe is also said to be in good health and under the loving care of her mother and zoo staff. While taking this one-of-a-kind creature in, the Tennessee zoo remains committed to providing for all the animals it shelters.
The colorfully spotted giraffe is a beloved symbol of the African savanna, but one zoo is celebrating an exception to this rule: a newly born giraffe without any spots! The newborn was born at Brights Zoo park in Tennessee, and is one of only four surviving patternless giraffes in existence – and certainly the cutest!
Not only is the Giraffe’s lack of spots significant in its own right, it has also become a symbol of the precarious position these majestic creatures find themselves in. Wild populations of giraffes have seen a sharp decline in recent years due to habitat loss and poaching, with estimates suggesting that 40% of the population has been lost in the last three decades.
Founding Director “Tony Bright” of Brights Zoo said that their unique baby giraffe has helped to shine a much-needed spotlight” on the conservation efforts for these endangered creatures.
In celebration of their new arrival, the zoo has created a public contest for everyone to get involved, with shortlisted options such as Kipekee, which means “unique” in Swahili; Firayali meaning “unusual”; Shakiri which translates to “she is most beautiful”; as well as Jamella for “one of great beauty”.
Let’s all help to spread awareness about these gentle giants and ensure the security of their future!