A recent giraffe feeding experience at a Texas wildlife center took a scary turn when a toddler was lifted from the bed of the pickup truck she was riding in.
Jason Toten, the toddler’s father, shared a video with NBC News capturing the moment. In the footage, Toten’s daughter, dressed in pigtails and a pink shirt, is seen extending her hand out of the back of the truck to feed a giraffe during their tour.
The giraffe initially nudges the girl and gradually moves closer until it appears to lift her into the air. In the background, a woman can be heard screaming in alarm.
Warren Lewis, Chief Marketing Officer for Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, addressed the incident in a statement. He mentioned that the center was informed about the incident on Monday and noted that such an event had never occurred before at Fossil Rim. In response, the center is implementing new safety measures, including a ban on visitors riding in truck beds.
While the Toten family is saddened by the new rule, they still hold a positive view of the park. Jason Toten emphasized that his family will return to the park, praising it as a wonderful destination for children who love animals.
“It was an accident, and the giraffe didn’t mean any harm. It was just one of those things that happened,” Toten explained. “We’re not upset with the giraffe or the park.”
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