Zoo with Rare Spotless Giraffe Announces Fan-Voted Name - The Messenger
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Zoo With Rare Spotless Giraffe Announces Fan-Voted Name

The newborn is the first spotless giraffe born in over 50 years

This undated photo provided by Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tenn., shows a plain brown female reticulated giraffe that was born on July 31, 2023, at the family-owned zoo.Tony Bright/Brights Zoo via AP

The world's only spotless giraffe has officially been named Kipekee after more than 40,000 people voted in a poll.

Kipekee was born at Brights Zoo in Tennessee on July 31 and it is believed that the female newborn is the only spotless giraffe in the world, with the last record of it happening being in 1972 in Tokyo.

Brights Zoo decided to hold a contest to allow fans to vote for what the giraffe's name should be. And this morning on TODAY, zoo director David Bright announced that Kipekee was the winner, with 36% of the vote.

The name Kipekee means "unique," which is a fitting name for this one-of-a-kind giraffe. Other options included Shakiri, Jamella, and Firyali.

After five weeks, Bright said that Kipekee is still "very laid back" and "curious about everything."

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