Yikes! Angry Giraffe!

[MdmMim]

While riding the safari last Wednesday, we had a nice view of the peaceful giraffes grazing in the thick grasses. There were 2 small females and a large male. When we drew near, the male charged the front of the vehicle in a very aggressive manner. The driver stopped and waited; the giraffe finally backed off and returned to the females. We went on our way, breathing a sigh of relief. We went around a corner and he came back--running toward the side of the vehicle this time, stopping a few feet away, with his very large head very close to the interior. I was sitting on the outside, staring up at this huge, aggressive wild creature--and I started to climb over DH's lap to get away, as did those behind me who were also way too close. He did back off after awhile but seemed very angry! We were scared! A person behind me said he was foaming at the mouth, but I didn't see that, as I was too busy trying to get away from him.

It seemed from my vantage point that the driver got on the radio. Soon thereafter, we saw the giraffes all leaving the serengti, headed toward their "home."

This was a little too much like a real safari!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Sounds like our family's experience in November. We booked the Wildlife DIscovery Excursion at AK for the 11 a.m. tour. It's a 1-hour tour with some behind-the-scenes access. We traveled a bit of the normal Safari tour, but then took off on some of the side roads for closer encounters with some of the animals. (I highly recommend this tour -- we got some great close-up pics!)

Our encounter with the giraffes was quite similar -- the older male first inspected our vehicle closely and started to stick his head inside (we guessed he was going after our cameras). After a few moments, he walked and "parked" in front of our mini-bus. We couldn't back up as we risked hitting other animals that were wandering behind us and we couldn't pull forward. So we waited.

During this time a zebra charged us (which gave everyone a bit of a scare) and one of the female giraffes sniffed around the vehicle. Finally, the old "boy" casually strolled aside and decided we could leave his territory.

The tour was great for getting really close and almost too personal with some of the animals.

 

[jarestel]

We had to stop for a few minutes once while a very large rhino stood in the middle of the "road" and checked us out. He was pretty mello, but had he been in a bad mood, there would have been a lot of tourists with distressed pants.

 

[KevinFSU]

OK, I can see being a little worried with a rhino or an elephant. However, it makes me laugh everyone fleeing the wild, charging giraffe. He must have been terrifying.....

(OK, I'm sure it could be different if I were in that situation...)

 

[Horizons16]

Not the same as these stories but still interesting... well maybe thats not the word... whatever, anywho...

We went on the ride first thing in the morning and we came around a corner and there were some Zebras... Well trying to make baby Zebras...

The driver went over the PA in the vehicle and was just like hmm thats not very Disney now is it... I think we should move on.

There was a guy in the back section of the truck and just yelled to the Zebra... "Yeah I like it better in the morning too!" The whole truck just burst laughing. Thankfully there were no little children. The driver came over the PA and said... "Thats not very Disney either."

 

[kupperman]

Not the same as these stories but still interesting... well maybe thats not the word... whatever, anywho...

We went on the ride first thing in the morning and we came around a corner and there were some Zebras... Well trying to make baby Zebras...

The driver went over the PA in the vehicle and was just like hmm thats not very Disney now is it... I think we should move on.

There was a guy in the back section of the truck and just yelled to the Zebra... "Yeah I like it better in the morning too!" The whole truck just burst laughing. Thankfully there were no little children. The driver came over the PA and said... "Thats not very Disney either."

Too funny!!

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

Well, Mdmmin, you survived, and now have an exciting safari story to tell! Very cool (I think).

I've never heard of giraffes being aggresive at all...at many zoos you can feed the giraffes by hand. That one must have been in a real grumpy mood!

(I hope no PETA people come on here and say that the giraffe was retaliating against being locked up by the evil Disney corporation!)

 

[salmoneous]

Worth noting that a male giraffe weights 3000 pounds can run 30-35 miles per hour. I've never had one charge me, and not sure I'd really want to. Also worth noting giraffes are one of the few animals that kicks both forwards and backward, and is deadly with either.

 

[Schmeck]

Well, many animals, even usually docile ones, become more aggressive (sp?) during 'certain' times of the year...

 

[Feralpeg]

One of the giraffe at AK just had a baby. I wonder if the others were sensing something.

 

[jtlover]

He was probably weary as he obviously has 2 female giraffes and possibly saw the people and safari jeep as a threat?

 

[marc1477]

I bet it made for a differnt type of safari ride...deffinatly more behind the scenes.