Two giraffes were struck and killed by lightning, according to a Florida zoo which conducted a study to find out why the animals died so suddenly.
In a statement Tuesday, Lion Country Safari, based in Florida, said the two giraffes, Lily and Jioni were in the pasture when a severe thunderstorm quickly developed six weeks ago. .
The giraffes died instantaneously.
“Recent pathology results confirm that the giraffe did pass as a result of the lightning and that the manner of their passing was instantaneous,” the zoo said in a statement.
The zoo said the giraffes do have access to numerous shelters in the multi-acre habitat. The zoo, based in Loxahatchee, Florida is home to more than 1,000 animals. It bills itself as Florida’s only drive-through safari and walk-through amusement park where you can spend the day on safari with the animals.
The keepers and our whole team were understandably devastated by this sudden and tragic loss; out of respect for their mourning and the pending pathology results, we waited to share this information. We continue to mourn our two incredibly lovely and charismatic giraffe; they will both be sorely missed.
