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The first spotless giraffe has been spotted on the plains of Africa, just weeks after a Tennessee zoo announced the birth of a giraffe that also lacked markings.
A photographer captured images of the young calf running alongside its mother in a private game reserve in Namibia.
The last time an immaculate giraffe appeared in the spotlight was in 1972 in Tokyo.
While it can be exciting to see a plain giraffe, experts have warned that the lack of patterns puts the animal at risk from predators.
The spots are unique to each animal, making it confusing for predators to narrow down to one prey.
The first spotless giraffe has been seen on the plains of Africa
Spots and patterns on a giraffe’s coat help camouflage it in the wild, but the markings are also usually located on top of a concentrated area of blood vessels that allow the animal to release heat and control body temperature.
Although it is common to see color variations or changes in spot or stripe patterns in several species, the cause is often unknown.
The lack of spots is due to a genetic condition called leucism, which prevents skin cells from producing pigments.
Dr. Julian Fennessy, co-founder and conservation director of the Giraffe Conversation Foundation (GCF), said: ‘The lack of spots could be caused by genetic mutations or a recessive genotype in one or more genes associated with the pattern, but without detailed genetic analysis. these are just speculations.”
The spotless giraffe is one of only about 117,000 left in Africa, as the animal is now extinct in at least seven countries; there are only four different types left.
A photographer captured images of the young calf running alongside its mother in a private game reserve in Namibia
The spots are unique to each animal, making it confusing for predators to narrow down to one prey
Stephanie Fennessy, executive director and co-founder of GCF, said: “Giraffes are in trouble and if we don’t act now, our grandchildren may not be able to see giraffes in the wild when they grow up.
‘That’s what really worries me! But the good news is that it’s not too late! If we act now, we can all stand strong for giraffes and secure a future for these gentle giants in the wild.”
The Spotless Giraffe in the Wild follows the news that a giraffe previously thought to be the only one of its kind has been born in the US.
The audience was asked to name the calf, which landed on Kipekee, the Swahili word for “unique,” after the new star at Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee.
Keepers were amazed by the baby reticulated giraffe when it was born on July 31 without the characteristic spots or spots of its species.
The Spotless Giraffe in the Wild follows the news that a giraffe previously thought to be the only one of its kind has been born in the US. The public was asked to name the calf, which landed on Kipekee, the Swahili word for “unique,” for the new star at Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee
The zoo said their now six-foot-tall baby is “thriving” and has begun showing her to visitors while she remains in the care of her mother.
The global population of reticulated giraffes has fallen to just 38,000, and the zoo hopes Kipekee’s arrival will draw attention to the species’ plight.
“Wild populations are quietly dying out, with 40 percent of the wild giraffe population lost in the last thirty years,” says Bright.
“The international coverage of our patternless baby giraffe has created much-needed attention for giraffe conservation.”