HOEDSPRUIT: More sadness in the giraffe attack saga
The news that the giraffe calf did not survive the translocation process sent shock waves through the wildlife loving community of Hoedspruit and many questions were raised about the capture process.
THE directors of the Board of Blyde Wildlife Estate confirmed exclusively to the HOEDSPRUIT HERALD on Tuesday that the giraffe cow that was involved in the tragic incident on September 3, where Katy and Finn Williams were severely injured, had been successfully moved to her new destination.
It is with the utmost sadness to announce that the two month old calf unfortunately did not survive the relocation process.
Read: BREAKING: Giraffe involved in tragic Hoedspruit accident dies in relocation process
The news that the giraffe calf did not survive the translocation process sent shock waves through the wildlife loving community of Hoedspruit and many questions were raised about the capture process. The most common concern was the heat that was experienced in the Hoedspruit area on the day of the capture.
The exact cause of death of the young giraffe has not been released to the media but the Blyde Wildlife Estate do say that all necessary precautions were taken and all legal requirements were adhered to.
Read: UPDATE: Giraffe and calf to be relocated after attack in Hoedspruit
The calf definitely wasn’t exhausted either
According to a reliable source, who wishes to remain anonymous, the procedure was not carried out in the heat of the day, as had been speculated by some concerned residents, “The procedure was all finished by approximately 09:00 and by then, the temperature was still around 25 degrees celsius. I think everyone was wary of the temperature and that is why it was done so early. The calf definitely wasn’t exhausted either, it did not run far during the process.”
Riaan Cilliers, the estate manager of the Blyde Wildlife Estate said: “We are all devastated by this very sad news.”
Katy and her husband Sam also responded to the tragic news with the following statement: “Katy and I are deeply saddened to hear the news about the unfortunate death of the giraffe calf during the translocation operation. We understand the translocation team took every possible safety precaution, and it is a shame that accidents such as this can occur during even the most meticulously planned procedures.”
The HOEDSPRUIT HERALD attempted to make contact with both the veterinarian and the game capture team that were involved in the translocation process but both were unable to give a comment to the media.
On the positive side, Katy and Finn are both making great progress in their recovery.
UPDATE: Mother awake after Hoedspruit giraffe attack, son stable
The family’s lawyer‚ Marina Botha from Botha & Lovegrove Incorporated‚ told the HERALD on Wednesday that Katy is moving to a general ward in the hospital, “If all goes well, she should be out of hospital soon. She has made a remarkable recovery.”
Katy’s son Finn is reported to be stable and no longer classified as critical, “He still has a long rehabilitation process ahead of him, which they have already started with, but it is going to be a long and expensive road to recovery for Finn,” Botha concluded.
A fundraiser has been started by friends of the family on behalf of Katy and Finn to assist with their recovery, and anyone that would like to donate can do so at the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/katy-and-finns-recovery
Also read:
HOEDSPRUIT: Giraffe tramples mother and child leaving both critical
UPDATE: Mother and son critical after giraffe attack in Hoedspruit
UPDATE: Mother and son recovering after giraffe attack in Hoedspruit
UPDATE: Child still critical after giraffe attack in Hoedspruit
