Klapperkop’s Newest born Zebra takes the Spotlight

Klapperkop Nature Reserve’s young zebra has finally received a name!

The naming contest, which took place from December 12 to 22, 2023, garnered more than 300 submissions from enthusiasts of animals and nature.

Pretoria East’s Klapperkop Nature Reserve organized the competition, and the Tshwane metro awarded the winner with a two-night stay for four at Rietvlei Nature Reserve.

Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink announced that the chosen name for the baby zebra is Kamari, derived from African Swahili, meaning ‘the moon.’

Born in November of the previous year at Klapperkop, one of the city’s beloved outdoor destinations, the baby zebra sparked enthusiasm among participants in the competition. The contenders for the name were diverse, with options like Jabari, Khumba, Kunye, and Oreo.

Arielle, the 11-year-old winner from Sunnyside, expressed admiration for the zebra’s beauty and grace, likening it to the moon in the night sky. She shared her fascination with zebras’ unique stripes, comparing them to fingerprints, and found it intriguing that they sleep while standing.

Mayor Brink conveyed gratitude to everyone who took part in the competition, acknowledging the creativity of the suggested names. He encouraged residents to support and visit Tshwane’s nature reserves, listing several options such as Bronkhorstspruit, Faerie Glen, Groenkloof, Moreleta Kloof, Rietvlei, and Wonderboom. Brink highlighted the rich wildlife in these reserves, including buffalo, rhino, and cheetah, and mentioned that some reserves offer game drives for visitors.

Source: Pretoria News