Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of the most popular rides in Animal Kingdom. In fact, the popularity will surge if they are able to successfully hatch the first real dinosaur. You can read that story here. However, Kilimanjaro Safaris is experiencing a setback after a truck runs over one of the giraffes.
One of the most amazing attractions at Disney World is Kilimanjaro Safaris. Not only is it the largest by size, at 110 acres, but it’s also home to 34 species of animals. It also houses endangered species, like the Black Rhino, which is on the critically endangered list. Disney does a lot to protect these animals, however, they had a serious accident on the ride yesterday.
Kilimanjaro Safaris Accident
Yesterday, one of the trucks on Kilimanjaro Safaris ran over a giraffe, causing the ride to close for a few hours. According to a witness, the truck was driving at its normal speed. Out of nowhere, a giraffe ran in front of it. There unfortunately wasn’t enough time for the driver to stop. They tried slamming on the brakes, however, at that point, it was too late.
Unfortunately, the giraffe was run over by the safari truck, seriously injuring it. The driver immediately called headquarters to report the incident. Within minutes, Disney had a team of highly trained wildlife specialists tending to the giraffe. This was a scary scene for those watching and a bumpy experience for those riding.
The scariest part is that the Kilimanjaro Safaris trucks are heavy. According to an internal source, these trucks weigh around 15,000 lbs. That is a heavy truck to get run over by. While they only drive at a max speed of 8 miles per hour, they are extremely difficult to stop on a dime because of their weight. You may be asking, how does the driver not see a giraffe? Giraffes have a top speed of 37 miles per hour. It came out of nowhere, running at full speed, just to be stopped by the truck.
What Happened to The Giraffe?
According to our internal source, the giraffe is currently in critical condition. Surprisingly, giraffes are some of the most robust animals in the animal kingdom. In fact, a little-known fact, this is one of their greatest strengths. Despite being steamrolled by a Kilimanjaro Safaris truck, there is hope that the giraffe will be okay.Â
Currently, the giraffe is being treated in Animal Kingdom’s animal hospital. This is a top-of-the-line hospital for animals and has some of the best animal doctors in the world. What also helps is the medical team was on-site to treat the giraffe immediately where it was struck by the truck. This immediate treatment increases the chance of survival significantly.
It’s certainly scary seeing an animal run over by a truck on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Just another incident at Animal Kingdom that may play into its permanent closure, which we reported on here. We hope Disney can treat the giraffe so it gets back out there, playing in the wide-open safari.
As an overall question, do you think Disney should close Animal Kingdom permanently? This is yet another incident bringing the park down. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Weird. No one else has reported this.