Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Associated Press
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Lightning struck and killed a giraffe at Disney's Animal Kingdom (search) as the animal roamed among tourists, company officials said Wednesday.
The accident occurred Monday as a severe lightning storm moved over the Kilimanjaro Safari (search) attraction, Disney spokeswoman Diane Ledder said.
"To the best of my knowledge, it was a quick death," she said.
It was unclear if any tourists saw the lighting strike.
Betsy the giraffe, who was 6 years old, was the first animal to die from a lightning strike at the theme park, Ledder said. "It's very unfortunate and unusual ... but it has happened in the past" at other U.S. parks, she said.
The park has lightning rods (search) placed throughout the safari area to protect animals. Animals can also be brought inside during severe weather, but the storm came through with too little warning, Ledder said.
Associated Press
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Lightning struck and killed a giraffe at Disney's Animal Kingdom (search) as the animal roamed among tourists, company officials said Wednesday.
The accident occurred Monday as a severe lightning storm moved over the Kilimanjaro Safari (search) attraction, Disney spokeswoman Diane Ledder said.
"To the best of my knowledge, it was a quick death," she said.
It was unclear if any tourists saw the lighting strike.
Betsy the giraffe, who was 6 years old, was the first animal to die from a lightning strike at the theme park, Ledder said. "It's very unfortunate and unusual ... but it has happened in the past" at other U.S. parks, she said.
The park has lightning rods (search) placed throughout the safari area to protect animals. Animals can also be brought inside during severe weather, but the storm came through with too little warning, Ledder said.