ADVERTISEMENTA young giraffe died after hitting its head on a motorway bridge, according to an animal welfare charity.
The accident happened as two giraffes were travelling behind a lorry on a motorway in Pretoria, South Africa, reported AFP news agency.
Rick Allan, local manager for the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA) in South Africa, said: “Two giraffes were being transported by road. One of them had an accident. We don’t know exactly what happened but we were told it hit its head against a bridge.”
Allan added the young giraffe – who would have had its eyes covered during the transit – died from head injuries. The other giraffe was not injured.
He said the SPCA had begun an investigation into the incident and could bring a complaint against the animal’s owners.
The giraffe’s death is seemingly a case of fiction becoming reality. The American comedy film, The Hangover Part III, has a similar scene.
Pictures later began circulating on the internet of the giraffes prior to the accident:
#Giraffe transported in trailer dies 'after hitting head on motorway bridge' http://t.co/3HoSNyZrb3#AnimalRightspic.twitter.com/0DRW1XpedH
— Amr Heikal (@Heikal_Amr) July 31, 2014
Took this pic on the N1 earlier.Just heard one Giraffe passed away! Apparently due to head trauma! So sad!
Radio702</a> <a href="http://t.co/RNCMdALgl3">pic.twitter.com/RNCMdALgl3</a></p>— Wingate Road Runners (wingaterunners) July 31, 2014
Quand la fiction devient réalité RT “
Le_Figaro</a>: Une girafe meurt après avoir percuté un pont <a href="http://t.co/0C04jZj02e">http://t.co/0C04jZj02e</a> <a href="http://t.co/mspFOuFmwr">pic.twitter.com/mspFOuFmwr</a>”</p>— ◀Dj IzO▶ (TheRealDjIzo) August 1, 2014