Tennessee zoo reveals name of rare giraffe without spots – Kipekee. Here's what it means.
After about 40,000 votes, a Tennessee zoo revealed the name of a rare spotless giraffe that was born last month in the Knoxville suburb of Limestone – Kipekee.
David Bright, the director of Brights Zoo, joined the "TODAY" show Tuesday morning to announce the name of the reticulated giraffe that was born on July 31.
Last month, the zoo asked the public to help name the rare giraffe. The options were Kipekee, Firyali, Shakiri and Jamella.
Of the 40,000 votes, Kipekee received 36% of them while Jamella received 30%, Shakiri received 24% and Firyali got 10%, the "TODAY" show revealed.
Zoo officials are hoping the attention paid to the spotless newborn will help conservation efforts.
"Conservation will always be the most important thing we do," the zoo said on its website. "To help save this species we encourage everyone to help with conservation in the wild."
Executive Director of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation Stephanie Fennessy said while the spotless giraffe appears to be a rare phenomenon, "what is actually more shocking is that there are only 117,000 giraffes remaining in the wild in all of Africa," she told USA TODAY.
Kipekee meaning: What does the name mean?
Here's what the four names mean:
- Kipekee: "unique"
- Firyali: "unusual or extraordinary"
- Shakiri: "she is most beautiful"
- Jamella: "one of great beauty"
What is a reticulated giraffe?
A reticulated giraffe is typified by their large brown spots separated by cream colored lines. The animal is native to the Eastern African savannah and is an herbivore, according to the St. Louis Zoo.
Females can reach 17 feet in height and weigh up to 2,600 pounds. The giraffe in Tennessee is currently 6 feet tall.
The spots are primarily for camouflage, but they also play a role in the animal's circulatory system, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Underneath each spot are blood vessels and a giraffe can send blood to these vessels to release heat.