Giraffe hits head on highway bridge, dies

Johannesburg – One of the giraffes being transported in a truck on the highway in Centurion has died, according to reports.

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Eyewitness News reported on Thursday that a truck was spotted on the N1 transporting two giraffes.

According to witnesses one of the giraffes had knocked its head when the truck drove under a bridge.

Rick Allen MD of Tshwana SPCA told News24 that the SPCA was investigating the incident, with the intention of laying charges against those responsible.

Allen said: "The SABS has published a code for wildlife transport, and it would appear that the open transport with the giraffes' head sticking out is not acceptable."

The SPCA has ascertained that Nature Conservation has issued permits for the transport of the animals.

Sapa reported that the other giraffe was taken to a wildlife veterinary clinic.

Dion Abrahamson, News24 user, who saw the truck wrote: “I saw the truck transporting the two giraffes at 11:45 this morning. The truck was just before the Van Buuren off ramp on the N1 to Pretoria. The giraffes were blindfolded so they couldn't even see any bridges. Disgraceful.”

News24 user Gerry Theron sent this picture and said: "Front of the truck was full of people, surely they had to see that the giraffes were against highway height restrictions - barely missed the signage gantrys over the highway. This is terrible!"




Twitter users reported seeing the giraffes on the N1 after the truck had broken down early on Wednesday.

Look how low that bridge is and how tall the giraffes are. Who thought this one through? I wish I hadn't seen this. pic.twitter.com/as2jJkIwpv

— Pabi Moloi (@PabiMoloi) July 31, 2014

SMH! The SPCA is now considering laying charges against the truck driver who was transporting the giraffes. ??

— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) July 31, 2014

Who the hell transports 2 giraffes on the N1 standing upright in a truck?Now one is dead from hitting it's head on a bridge!cc @PabiMoloi

— Jadene Tager (@jadene85) July 31, 2014

"@thinusb_r Truck with 2 giraffe just passed underneath Garsfontein rd on N1. 1 giraffe hit it's head on the bridge. pic.twitter.com/TMIsUbR4WC:

— Anton Meijer (@antonnies) July 31, 2014