Kipekee, the spotless giraffe.Photo:Bright’s Zoo
Bright’s Zoo
Approximately 40,000 people from across the world had voted to name the 5-week-old animal, the NBC morning show said, with Kipekee getting 36% of the vote. “From a lot of guests we talked to, that was the easiest name for a child to say,” Bright joked.
Other options were Firyali (“unusual” or “extraordinary”), Shakiri (“she is most beautiful”) and Jamella (“one of great beauty”). The Bright family had all picked the names, submitting options before narrowing it down to the final four.
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As for Kipekee — who was born on July 31 — she’s doing well, Bright said. “She’s still very laid back and curious about everything; checking everything out every day,” he noted.
“Giraffe experts believe she is the only solid-colored reticulated giraffe living anywhere on the planet,” Brights Zoo founder Tony Bright previously told PEOPLE.
Kipekee, the spotless giraffe.Bright’s Zoo
Those interested in seeing her are encouraged to go “the earlier the better,” the zoo noted on its website. “Her normal routine is she is out first thing in the morning,” the wrote. “As we are in our hotter part of the year, both of our giraffe calves tend to want to go inside once temps get too hot. Lately, that has been around 2:00 p.m. If it is extremely hot, they may move inside earlier.”
“Normally around 2:00 p.m., [Kipekee] will get access to a much more shaded area. Viewing can be more difficult when she is in the most shady area. Sometime in between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., both babies and moms get access to their barns.”
Todayairs weekdays on NBC beginning at 7 a.m. ET.
source: people.com
