Have you ever wanted a pet giraffe? I think it would be awfully cool. Giraffes are some of earths most amazing creatures. They can stand up to 19 feet tall, with a long neck, legs, and tongue, and spots like a jaguar. When we learn our animals as children, they are one of the first, because they are so unique. At zoos, they are one of the most popular attractions. They will even let you pet them, and feed them. Sometimes wild animals get a little too friendly when they are in captivity their whole life. They are like a dog who likes to play around with you, but accidentally gets too aggressive.
A zoo keeper from Rhode Island was cleaning up in the giraffe cage, when she was head butted my an 18 foot giraffe. She ended up able to walk herself out of the cage, but had to go to the hospital to get things checked out. She was lucky and got released from the hospital with just minor head injuries. The Media picked up on this incident like the giraffe was on the attack and trying to hurt the female worker, but was that really the case? It turns out that the giraffe was actually just trying to play with the worker. This particular giraffe is one that is used to being fed by guests and workers, and also loves having its head petted. The giraffe simply just had an uncoordinated moment, but like two human beings both bending down to pick up a piece of garbage, and banging heads. When I heard that the woman was released with minor head injuries, I asked myself if this is truly even news worthy? Nothing good will happen by this being reported. The zoo, in fact, will probably lose money because of this publicity, and that friendly giraffe might not ever get to be petted again, because of the fear of it accidentally head butting a future customer. I honestly don't think that this story would be national news if it wasn't for the killer whale incident that went on a few weeks ago. The media is really digging hard just to find a similar story, and I guess I am actually helping their cause by talking about it on the internet. Even by me bashing them in this case, I am still creating another source for people to hear this news, and making them more profitable. Sometimes I think the media is too desperate, but can still turn nothing into something big.
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I agree with you Isaac, this story wasn't really news worthy. Many people will fear that when they go to that zoo if they even have any interest in going now after this incident. Stuff like that happens all the time at other zoo's when things go wrong with animals and workers at the zoo but with no injuries I don't think the story should be out to the public unless they want to hurt their own business.
ReplyDeleteI have actually feed and pet a giraffe at a zoo. They are extremely friendly and kind animals. I have been around animals a lot, and I know how much they truly love to play. Of course, there are some animals that are just mean. But, if this zoo keeper is familiar with this giraffe I don't think it would try to hurt her. I feel very bad for the zookeeper and the zoo for having to go through this unnecessary publishing.
ReplyDeleteI agree issac, the giraffe wasnt trying to hurt her, most animals of that size dont know their strength and are jsut looking for attention. Growing up i had pail calves and liek the giraffe i fed them everyday and they got to know me, it wasnt long until they started to but me with thier heads. I just think they were happy to see me. I also agree that the media is getting desperate with stories and are trying to exploit anything.
ReplyDeleteI believe the giraffe wasn't trying to hurt the trainer either. When I was younger I used to play with my dog. He would bite my hand and arms but really soft so it wouldn't hurt. Sometimes we would be playing a little rough and he would bite a little to hard. But I know he never tried to hurt me. The zoo shouldn't have had this story published. It is probably going to lose money because parents are not going to bring their children to see a giraffe that possible hurts humans.
ReplyDeleteI agree. This is definitely not a newsworthy story. I'm sure this kinda thing has happened before, but just doesn't get reported so much. But like you said, ever since the whale killing, (which in my opinion WAS newsworthy) every little animal bump, bite, and growl will have to be put out there for everyone to see, hear, and read about. I highly doubt the giraffe meant any harm. Just a playful little gesture or wrong move at the wrong time. As I stated in my own blog, media really needs to rethink what they put out there, becuase they can ruin lives, reputations, business, etc.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this story was not newsworthy. I am curious to see if this will affect the zoo in a negative way or if people will realize that the giraffe just wanted to get petted and got to close to the trainer. I will feel for the zoo if this story ends up hurting the zoo in anyway because I think that the media blew this up out of proportion.
ReplyDeleteThe media is definetly scrapping for news if this is what they choose to report on. The killer whale issue I think is different from this situation. I also interested to see if this makes a difference in zoo attendence. I really do not think it will, because when you think about it people get hurt at thier jobs everyday and these workers know that these animals are powerful and capable of causing damage, yet they continue to work in this area. I think it would be a risk worth taking to handle these unique animals that everyone enjoys to see.
ReplyDeleteI hadn’t heard of this story but I think it is very interesting. The media is pretty desperate when they report on a story like this. However, this is a pretty interesting story to me. I hope the trainer is okay, and I hope the giraffe still gets the attention it used to. I bet the media will be covering the trainer as she goes back to visit the zoo for the first time after being injured.
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