Bidder pays $64,500 to name Dallas Zoo's newborn giraffe

The Dallas Zoo has sold the naming rights for a recently born giraffe for US$50,000 (S$64,500) to a bidder who asked to remain anonymous, a zoo official said on Monday.

No name has yet been selected for the 1.8m male calf born on Oct 26, whose naming rights were sold during an auction at the zoo's annual fund-raiser on Saturday, spokesman Laurie Holloway said.

"There was a lot of interest in choosing a name, so the timing was perfect as an auction was already planned," she said.

The money will be used for giraffe-conservation efforts in African countries where the animals roam.

The baby giraffe is the 12th in the Dallas Zoo's herd, which is among the largest in the United States, Ms Holloway said.