Spotless giraffe spotted in Africa after Tennessee's calf born, foundation says

NAMIBIA — The notoriety of Tennessee's spotless giraffe, named Kipekee, born recently at Brights Zoo has allowed some conservationists to 'spot another solid-colored reticulated giraffe in the wild of Africa.

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation recently posted a photo on their social media page from photographer Eckart Demasius who shot the spotless calf with its mother in Namibia.

The Limestone, Tennessee zoo officials at the time of her birth July 31 said they believed Kipekee was the only spotless giraffe on Earth.

“The international coverage of our patternless baby giraffe has created a much-needed spotlight on giraffe conservation,” the founder of Brights Zoo, Tony Bright said. "Wild populations are silently slipping into extinction, with 40% of the wild giraffe population lost in just the last three decades."

The zoo had a naming contest and picked Kipekee which means Unique.