Giraffe kicks woman to death in game park

[Liberal_in_LA]

Giraffe kicks woman to death in game park

Merike Engelbrecht, 25, was discovered by her family with a broken neck after one of the two dogs with its leash still attached returned to their property without her, The Sun reported.

Her brother Hannes Visser said trackers suspected the pets disturbed a herd of giraffes which included a cow and calf who may have become protective of her offspring.

"It seems as if she grabbed the dog and tried to protect it. That was when the giraffe kicked her from the back in the neck. Her neck was broken. She died instantly," Mr Visser said.

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Both German Shorthaired Pointer dogs Tasco and Jasha suffered bruising from the incident Saturday morning.

Despite their elegant appearance, giraffes possess a powerful kick if threatened. Scientists said one kick can shatter the skull or break the spine of a lion - one of its main predators.

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He said the family did not resent the animal or the game park in Musina which they visited before. The giraffe will not be destroyed.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/05/13/173121_bizarre-news.html

[joeybee12]

1. So, do they allow people to free roam in an area where giraffes are?

did the dogs get into an enclosure?

[Codeine]

4. It's a reserve, not a zoo or theme park.

It's likely not enclosed at all, but simply an area set aside as protected wilderness to maintain habitat.

[joeybee12]

5. The photos show fences sort of surrounding the giraffes...

...so I was confused...in any case, the dogs should not be allowed there.

[Codeine]

8. I'm thinking that's probably a stock photo.

In any case, I agree about the dogs, but Seth Effrikans are seriously attached to their pooches and go everywhere with them. I imagine any such rule would have been ignored anyway.

[sandnsea]

7. Like a national park here

Where sometimes people are killed by bears, and where they are usually allowed to take dogs.

[Rex]

2. Oh shoot, I was hoping the Giraffe would be gased

what if it liked killing the woman? :sarcasm:

[kestrel91316]

3. Why are pet dogs even permitted in a GAME RESERVE?????

[joeybee12]

6. Agreed. n/t

[snooper2]

9. why does it matter

it's not like they are a threat to anything- maybe a warm meal though

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. who knew giraffe's have such a mean kick? maybe park visitors need warnings

[snooper2]

11. If an animals knee joint is five feet above my head

I would probably be automatically wary of getting too close :P

[Liberal_in_LA]

13. good point but giraffes have such sweet faces

[kestrel91316]

14. Wrong. They disturb the natural behavior of wildlife. Bad enough that they

allow PEOPLE there......

[enlightenment]

15. Agree.

At least the family recognize that the giraffe was not at fault.

[mitchum]

12. "What ya in for, Stretch?"

[depakid]

16. None too bright to bring the dogs along...