What makes the giraffe rare?
A rare giraffe was born at Brights Zoo in Tennessee, USA. Unlike most giraffes, this giraffe is different because it doesn't have spots. The giraffe, a female, has a brown skin.
Before the giraffe was born at Brights Zoo, the last reported spotless giraffe was in a Tokyo zoo in 1972. But recently, another spotless giraffe was found in Namibia (an African country). The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) announced the spotless giraffe in Namibia. The GCF said this giraffe is the first spotless giraffe discovered in the wild.
What’s the reason behind both giraffes being spotless?
An expert said that the giraffe at Brights Zoo has no spots due to a mutation in one or more genes. Brights Zoo says the giraffe is healthy and doing well under her mother’s care.
Julian Fennessy, co-founder of GCF, also said that mutation might be the reason for the giraffes being spotless. But more study is required to know the proper reasons.
The giraffe at Brights Zoo is named Kipekee, which means 'unique' in Swahili. People voted for this name after being presented with four choices (Kipekee, Firyali, Shakiri, and Jamella). The zoo officials have also asked people to help out with giraffe conservation.
Are giraffes going extinct?
Giraffes are the tallest mammals on the planet. Sadly, their numbers are going down. They have been added to the vulnerable species category on the IUCN red list. The global giraffe population has also reduced a lot since the 1980s. That’s why many organisations are working hard to save the animals.
But here's some good news! In 2022, a report said that the giraffe population in Africa had increased compared to 2015. This is wonderful news and gives us hope that the animals can be saved.
