UPDATE: Child still critical after giraffe attack in Hoedspruit
“At this stage the consequences of his traumatic brain injury are unknown and he is being kept under sedation.”
Dr Sam Williams confirmed this morning that his wife and son are doing well under circumstances.
Three year old Finn’s condition is still unchanged and his condition remains critical.
“At this stage the consequences of his traumatic brain injury are unknown and he is being kept under sedation”.
The family denies that they have been informed of any brain damage and has decided to remain positive until the full extent of Finn’s injuries is known.
Read: HOEDSPRUIT: Giraffe tramples mother and child leaving both critical
The doctors that operated on Katy on Wednesday night are satisfied with her condition, although she is kept under sedation. The operation was successful and she needs to be given time to heal.
Katy was born in Baltimore in the USA. Growing up, she lived in Egypt, the USA and Belgium.
Sam is from Bradford, West Yorkshire in the UK. With both of them sharing a passion for nature and wildlife conservation, Katy and Sam met each other in 2003, while they were doing research in Indonesia.
Read: UPDATE: Mother and son critical after giraffe attack in Hoedspruit
They both did their PhD in Biological Anthropology at Durham University in the UK, specializing in carnivore conservation. Since meeting, they have spent time living in the UK and studying wildlife in Indonesia, Honduras, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Finn was born in the UK, but has lived his whole life in South Africa. He is raised in an environment, where his adventurous parents are teaching him to respect, enjoy and to love nature, as much as they do.
Read: UPDATE: Mother and son recovering after giraffe attack in Hoedspruit
Sam has confirmed that they have over a decade of experience studying wild animals.
“We are very aware of how wild animals behave and how we should behave around them,” Sam said.
They have both published several journal articles in this regard and Katy has also written a booklet on this for children.
“We also realize with all the knowledge that anyone can have, wild animals remain unpredictable as this tragic event has once again shown. I am thankful that the giraffe will be moved with her calf, as I was informed and that she is not being destroyed as a result of the incident. I have not doubt that this is what Katy would want.”
Words do not come easy for Sam in this difficult time, but he tries to remain positive and focus on every improvement that they are making.
“I realize that even if things go well, we still have a long, hard road to recovery ahead of us, but I am hoping that we can one day go back to throwing rocks into the river together and have bedtime snuggles”.
They are once again pleading to the media to respect their privacy in this very difficult time.
All communication with the family can be done through the family lawyer, Marina Botha from Hoedspruit.
