A truly exceptional event has occurred at a Tennessee zoo, where a unique female giraffe was born without the typical patchy pattern. Born on July 31, the giraffe lacks the distinctive spots that are a hallmark of the species.
Measuring already at 6 feet tall, the giraffe is being cared for by its mother and the zoo's staff. The Brights Zoo, hoping to raise awareness about the conservation of giraffes in the wild, aims to draw attention to this rare sight.
A maasai Giraffe walks at sunset in Selenkay Conservancy, a community-owned conservation area running by a private company, in Amboseli, Kenya, on June 21, 2022.
One-Of-A-Kind Spotless Giraffe
Giraffes are scarcely born without their characteristic mottled pattern, essential for camouflage in their natural habitat. Hence, the zoo management believes that the spotless giraffe is truly one of a kind.
The spots house a network of blood vessels, aiding heat dissipation for thermal control. Each giraffe, except for the Tennessee addition, possesses an individual pattern of spots, a trait researchers believe is inherited from their mothers.
According to the zoo authorities, this giraffe is the sole known spotless one, with the previous instance being born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. The newly born giraffe belongs to the reticulated species, categorized as endangered on The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List since 2018. The zoo officials are optimistic that the spotlight on the spotless newborn will contribute to conservation endeavors.
Tony Bright, the founder of Brights Zoo, noted that the global attention drawn to their patternless baby giraffe has significantly raised awareness about giraffe conservation. He highlighted the alarming trend of wild giraffe populations facing extinction, with a loss of 40% over the past three decades.
Starting August 22, the zoo will initiate a naming poll for the female giraffe on its Facebook page, offering four name options: Kipekee (meaning "unique"), Firyali (meaning "unusual or extraordinary"), Shakiri (meaning "she is most beautiful"), and Jamella (meaning "one of great beauty").
READ ALSO: Endangered Subspecies of Giraffe Born in Chester Zoo, Raising Hope For The Future of The Species
Why Giraffes Need Spots
Reticulated giraffes are recognized by their substantial brown spots interspersed with cream-colored lines. These creatures originate from the East African savannah and are herbivores, as noted by the St. Louis Zoo. Female individuals can attain a height of 17 feet and weigh up to 2,600 pounds. Presently, the Tennessee giraffe stands at 6 feet in height.
The primary purpose of giraffe patches or spots is camouflage. However, beneath each patch lies an intricate network of blood vessels. Adjacent to each patch, a relatively large blood vessel extends and forms smaller vessels beneath the patch.
This configuration enables giraffes to direct blood through these smaller vessels into the center of the patch, facilitating the release of heat through this mechanism. Essentially, each patch functions as a thermal outlet for dissipating body heat.
In the case of the newborn spotless giraffe, the zoo aims to enhance recognition of the hurdles confronting wild giraffes, encompassing issues such as unlawful poaching and the degradation of their habitats.
RELATED ARTICLE: Rare White Giraffes Killed in Kenya by Poachers
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