Spotless Giraffe Kipekee Dies at 2, Cause of Death Under Investigation

NEED TO KNOW

Kipekee, one of only two known spotless giraffes in the world and the only one in human care, died at age 2 at Brights Zoo in Tennessee

Her sudden death is under investigation, and veterinarians and experts will perform a complete necropsy to determine the cause

Kipekee drew international attention after her 2023 birth and attracted thousands of visitors to the family-owned zoo

The sudden death of Kipekee — one of only two known spotless giraffes in the world, and the only one in human care — is under investigation after the rare animal died on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at just 2 years old.

Brights Zoo in Tennessee said it is working with two giraffe veterinarians and consultants, as well as experts at the University of Tennessee, to determine what caused her death, noting t