A BABY girl was killed and her mother left fighting for life after a giraffe trampled them in South Africa.
The one-year-old was visiting a safari park near the port city of Durban on Wednesday afternoon when the horror unfolded.
The pair were visiting the luxury Kuleni Game Park on Wednesday[/caption]
According to local media, the infant was with her 25-year-old mother at Kuleni Game Park when the giraffe suddenly attacked them.
The pair were reportedly crushed by the towering creature before being rushed to hospital.
Both sustained catastrophic injuries during the terrifying incident.
Shortly after arriving at the nearby medical facility, the little girl tragically passed away.
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Her mum remains in a critical condition following the ordeal, police said.
Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala told News24: “The child was taken to the nearest doctor’s room, where she died.
“The mother was rushed to the hospital for medical attention. She is reported to be in a critical condition.”
An investigation into the one-year-old’s death has now been launched.
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Giraffes grow up to 19 feet tall, can weigh over a ton and are the world’s tallest mammal.
Males can become aggressive in mating season and females can be aggressive when protecting their young.
According to its website, Kuleni Game Park is a former cattle farm turned staycation park.
It is home to a collection of luxury bush lodges in the Hluhluwe area of South Africa, “geared towards families, friends or couples”.
The park promises to provide an extraordinary experience for guests keen to observe the “diversity of wildlife, flora and birdlife”.
It boasts that visitors can “enjoy close encounters with animals while walking or cycling the numerous trails”.
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But guests are warned to remember that the animals on sight are wild and therefore unpredictable, with Kuleni advising they keep a safe distance at all times.
Activities on offer include turtle tours, boar rides, scuba diving, interacting with elephants and crocodile cruises.