Giraffes (Giraffa sp.)

[Spalea]

James Tyrell: " One of the more dramatic stories I’ve watched unfold in the bush. Somehow this old giraffe bull had got himself bogged in a small pan.

Once giraffes go down, they struggle to get up again (long story involving lactic acid, muscle types and a few other anatomical features), and this poor bull wasn’t aided by the muddy substrate he was in. Eventually the effort was too much for him and his body gave up; he sadly drowned a few hours after he fell in. Later that evening, two male lions caught the scent of the carcass and came to investigate, eventually wading into the water to begin feeding, which they continued to do for a further three days. "

Reply