Miami (Web Desk): Two giraffes were killed when they were struck by lightning in the southeastern US state of Florida.
"We are deeply saddened to share the passing of two of our giraffe due to a lightning strike," the Lion Country Safari park, which is located north of Miami, said in a Facebook post.
"Lily and Jioni were in the pasture in their habitat when a severe thunderstorm quickly developed six weeks ago. Recent pathology results confirm that the giraffe did pass as a result of the lightning and that the manner of their passing was instantaneous," it said.
LISTEN: The wildlife director at @LionCountry talks about the deaths of two giraffes by lightning, saying staffers poured their hearts into caring for the animals. https://t.co/8OgZvrB6cg pic.twitter.com/wzmLZnddLh
— WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12) June 11, 2019
The park said that the giraffes have access to "numerous shelters in the multi-acre habitat."
But "if they don't choose to seek shelter, there isn't a lot we can do to encourage them to," park spokesperson Haley Passeser told the local WPTV channel.
With the death of the two giraffes, a male and a female, there are 18 remaining in the park.
