Current:Home > InvestGiraffe hoists 2-year-old into the air at drive-thru safari park: "My heart stopped" -MoneyFlow Academy
Giraffe hoists 2-year-old into the air at drive-thru safari park: "My heart stopped"
View
Date:2025-04-18 01:33:19
A Texas family went through a heart-dropping scare at a drive-thru safari park earlier this month when a giraffe reached into their pickup truck and grabbed their 2-year-old daughter, hoisting her in the air.
The incident happened at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas, where visitors drive through a trail with animals like cheetahs, emus, zebras and wildebeests, with the opportunity to feed them from their cars.
"We stopped to feed the giraffes and I turned around to look out the back window," Jason Toten told CBS affiliate KWTX. "That's when I saw the giraffe kind of digging around, and then it just grabbed her."
The giraffe grabbed his 2-year-old daughter, Paisley, by her shirt from the back of their pickup. The giraffe hoisted her a few feet in the air and her mom, who was in the pickup bed with her, shouted at the giraffe, prompting the animal to let go.
The incident was captured on camera by the people in the car behind them, who sent it to the family.
Toten said it appeared to be an accident and that the family didn't break park rules, which include keeping car doors closed, feeding animals with cups — not your hands — and keeping 50 feet away from gates.
"Paisley was holding the bag and the giraffe went to go get the bag, not get her, but ended up getting her shirt too and picking her up," he said.
"My heart stopped, my stomach dropped… it scared me," he said.
The incident didn't deter the family — Toten said they'd visit again. And Paisley got a stuffed giraffe from the souvenir shop after the rough ride.
Caitlin O'KaneCaitlin O'Kane is a New York City journalist who works on the CBS News social media team as a senior manager of content and production. She writes about a variety of topics and produces "The Uplift," CBS News' streaming show that focuses on good news.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Texas police officer indicted in fatal shooting of man on his front porch
- Federal agency wants to fine Wisconsin sawmill $1.4 million for violations found after teen’s death
- 5 more boats packed with refugees approach Indonesia’s shores, air force says
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Teen who planned Ohio synagogue attack must write book report on WWII hero who saved Jews
- White supremacist sentenced for threatening jury and witnesses at synagogue shooter’s trial
- Jason Kelce responds to Jalen Hurts 'commitment' comments on 'New Heights' podcast
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Numerals ‘2024' arrive in Times Square in preparation for New Year’s Eve
Ranking
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- ICHCOIN Trading Center: A Historical Review
- 5 more boats packed with refugees approach Indonesia’s shores, air force says
- US senator’s son faces new charges in crash that killed North Dakota sheriff’s deputy
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Gov.-elect Jeff Landry names heads of Louisiana’s health, family and wildlife services
- Romance scammer who posed as St. Louis veterinarian gets 3 years in federal prison after woman loses $1.1 million
- An author gets in way over his head in 'American Fiction'
Recommendation
McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
How a utility company fought to keep two Colorado towns hooked on fossil fuels
FBI searches home after reported cross-burning as part of criminal civil rights investigation
Zac Efron Explains Why He Wore Sunglasses Indoors on Live TV
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
How economics can help you stick to your New Year's resolution
Airman killed in Osprey crash remembered as a leader and friend to many
Former NBA player allegedly admitted to fatally strangling woman in Las Vegas, court documents show