Sad Animal Kingdom news...

[myfairygodmother]

CNN just reported that one of the Giraffes at the Animal Kingdom was struck by lightening and killed during a severe thunderstorm.

We're used to our severe summertime afternoon thunderstorms in the South but I think that this is a good reminder that we should not only keep ourselves inside during these storms but don't forget your pets!!!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Wow! That's really sad ... I looked up the story and it says the giraffe was named Betsy and had been at the park since 1998.

Here's a link to the story if anyone is interested...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20030723/lo_wkmg/1709400

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, this is very sad...and sad that there were witnesses too!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Being a huge animal lover...that really breaks my heart

I hate hearing stories like that.

 

[MelanieC]

That is so sad and awful. Poor thing. She/He probably didn't know what hit her.

I hope she didn't suffer too much.

 

[Tulip]

That is so sad. I hope it doesn't happen very often.

 

[tmq2766]

How aweful......

 

[FloridaCat]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A lightning strike hit and killed a giraffe at an attraction inside Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, according to Local 6 News.




A Disney spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that lightning hit the 12-foot giraffe known as Betsy at the Kilamanjaro Safari ride during Monday's storms in Central Florida.

At least three attraction trams or about 90 people may have witnessed the incident, Local 6 News reported.

It is believed that Betsy died instantly. She had been at the theme park since 1998.



Disney officials said that they have lightning rods placed around the park to protect the park's animals and if there is enough warning they take the animals inside barns for protection from storms.

Betsy's death leaves the attraction with 15 giraffes and there are 10 more animals at the Animal Kingdom lodge.

 

[doombuggy]

Breaks my heart too, to hear about this. I wonder if there are thunderstorms in Africa and if this happens there. If people can survive a lightning strike, why not an animal??

 

[Dixie Luvr 98]

This link, originally posted on the CB, says that it does also occur in the wild
Gifaffe Dies

I feel especially bad for any young children who were witnesses

Poor Betsy

 

[Disneymoon04]

Oh how awful!

 

[heffalump9]

This is so very sad. The giraffes were our favorite during our visit to AK and AKL.

Here is a link from the Orlando Sentinel:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...raffe,0,7964740.story?coll=orl-home-headlines