[Dragonwraith]

[quote:d39a7]Giraffe, Ostrich Drown in Zoo Sinkhole


MONROE, La. (AP) - A giraffe and an ostrich drowned in a 15-foot sinkhole that developed after a water main burst in their shared zoo exhibit, officials said.

The animals at Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo in northern Louisiana died sometime Friday night or Saturday morning in the zoo's African veldt exhibit, officials said.

Zoo officials buried them there Saturday.

``I just hate it, but it was a freak accident,'' said zoo veterinarian Tyler Thomas.


The approximately 6-year-old Rothschild giraffe, on loan from Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, N.Y., was one of two male giraffes on exhibit the past 19 months. The ostrich was one of four females at the zoo the past four years.


Thomas said he believed the 17-foot, 3,000-pound giraffe was probably getting a drink, then tumbled headfirst into the sinkhole when it collapsed under his weight.


The ostrich was likely standing beside the giraffe, he said.


``Nothing but the ankles of the giraffe were visible when I went out there,'' Thomas said. ``I'm sure he smelled that fresh, cool water bubbling up and couldn't resist it. We're just fortunate none of the other animals got curious.''


Visitors could not see the animals in the sinkhole, which was about 9 feet in diameter, and were blocked from seeing their bodies removed and buried Saturday. [/quote:d39a7]


D'OH