Baby girl, 1, trampled to death by giraffe as mother left fighting for her life

20 October 2022, 05:54

A giraffe has trampled a one-year-old baby to death
A giraffe has trampled a one-year-old baby to death. Picture: Getty

By Will Taylor

A one-year-old girl has been killed and her mother is fighting for her life after they were trampled by a giraffe in South Africa.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The baby had been taken to the Kuleni Game Park near Durban on Wednesday.

Local media said they were suddenly attacked by the animal and were crushed before being taken to hospital.

Both suffered terrible injuries and the baby died shortly after being taken to get help.

Her mother, aged 25, is in a critical condition.

Read more: Armed police storm plane and arrest three men on suspicion of bomb hoax at Stansted

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said: "The child was taken to the nearest doctor's room, where she died.

"The mother was rushed to the hospital for medical attention. She is reported to be in a critical condition."

Police are investigating the death.

Giraffes are the world's tallest mammal and can grow to 19 feet and weigh over a ton.

They can become aggressive during the mating season and females will protect their young.

Kuleni Game Park says it is oriented towards families, friends or couples and says the former cattle farm lets visitors enjoy diverse wildlife and flora, providing opportunities for "close encounters with animals".

However, visitors are warned to keep a safe distance at all times.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kanye West, left, and Bianca Censori arrive at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Bianca Censori shares true feelings towards Kanye West's nude Grammys stunt

Landlords face £6k bill to meet higher energy efficiency standards on rental homes by 2030 under government plans

Landlords face £6k bill to meet higher energy efficiency standards on rental homes by 2030 under government plans

Pope Francis meets Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall at the Vatican on April 4, 2017.

King Charles and Queen Camilla to meet Pope Francis during state visit to Italy

A British couple was reportedly found dead by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.

British couple found dead inside 'isolated' French villa in 'feared burglary gone wrong'

Exclusive
Commuter backlash after Network Rail 'erases trains from departure boards' early to 'ease rush'

Commuter backlash after Network Rail 'erases trains from departure boards early' to 'ease passenger rush'

b

Knife arches in schools are welcome - but who is going to pay for them?

James Evans, 19, left, and Justin Keeling (formerly Evans), 18, right, have admitted to starting a massive fire that sparked a mass evacuation.

Two teens admit starting huge fire that 'ripped residents out of homes' during summer riots

Inga Gehricke, five, went missing following a family barbecue in Germany back in 2015.

Police launch fresh search efforts for missing girl linked to prime Madeleine McCann suspect

v

School named after Prince Andrew set to rebrand to something less 'controversial'

The Princess Royal during a visit to Southmead Hospital in Bristol to thank the team of doctors, nurses and health professionals who treated her following her accident in June 2024.

Princess Anne returns to the intensive care unit where she had treatment for head injuries

A utility firm has admitted its equipment started one of the LA fires last month.

California utility says its equipment likely sparked fire that raged through LA

Yusuf Kayat, 54, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for 20 years

Paedophile who plied girl, 10, with alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis before grooming her for sex with other men jailed

Salim Iskef, 29, was one of ten people killed by lone gunman Rickard Andersson, 35, at Orebro's Risbergska adult education centre on Tuesday.

Heartbreaking final words of Sweden mass shooting victim shared with mum and fiancé revealed

Exclusive
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to the media during a visit to Springfields (Preston Lab), National Nuclear Laboratory.

UK must make it harder to buy knives online to prevent repeat of Southport killings, PM tells LBC

UK resident comes forward to claim £83m EuroMillions jackpot

UK winner comes forward to claim £83.5million EuroMillions jackpot 13 days after draw

Cold Snap Brings Freezing Temperatures To Parts Of UK

Cold health alerts issued as temperatures set to plummet over weekend as the Beast from the East returns