LIMESTONE, Tenn. — UPDATE (Sept. 5): The giraffe was named "Kipekee," which is Swahili for "unique." Brights Zoo said they received 40,000 total votes, and the name won by a margin of around 6,000 votes.
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The world's rarest giraffe was born at Brights Zoo in Limestone in July, according to officials.
The giraffe born without spots on July 31 is the only one of her kind on Earth, zoo officials said on Monday.
The zoo is asking the public to help name her. Giraffe experts believe she is the only solid-colored reticulated giraffe living anywhere on the planet. The baby is now available for viewing at the zoo.
She is already 6 feet tall and is thriving under the care of her mother and zoo staff.
“The international coverage of our patternless baby giraffe has created a much-needed spotlight on giraffe conservation. Wild populations are silently slipping into extinction, with 40% of the wild giraffe population lost in just the last three decades,” said Tony Bright, the founder of Brights Zoo.
For the naming contest, the zoo has narrowed it down to four names. The four names and their meanings are:
- Kipekee - Unique
- Firyali - Unusual or extradonary
- Shakiri - She is most beautiful
- Jamella - One of great beauty
The zoo started taking votes on the giraffe's name through its social media page on Tuesday. Voting is expected to last until Labor Day, Sept. 4. The zoo said it will tally up the votes and announce her name.