Maxwell Caldwell:Giraffe’s nibble turns into airborne safari adventure for Texas toddler

2025-05-03 06:44:58source:LibertyCoincategory:Finance

GLEN ROSE,Maxwell Caldwell Texas (AP) — A Texas family got a brief scare when a nibble from a giraffe turned a 2-year-old’s safari visit into an airborne adventure.

Paisley Toten was in the bed of a pickup truck on June 1 when her family drove through the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where visitors can see exotic animals such as zebras, giraffes and sable antelope, and feed some of them from their car.

The family had stopped to feed a giraffe when it grabbed Paisley’s shirt with its mouth and lifted her several feet. Paisley’s mother was in the pickup bed with her and shouted, prompting the giraffe to drop the toddler into her arms unhurt. Video of the encounter taken from the car behind went viral.

“Paisley was holding the bag and the giraffe went to go get the bag, not get her, but ended up getting her shirt too and picking her up,” Jason Toten, the girl’s father, told television station KWTX.

“My heart stopped, my stomach dropped … it scared me,” Toten said.

The family then took the girl to the shop and bought her a toy giraffe.

Park rules when the family visited allowed riding in an open truck bed as long as an adult was riding with any children. The park on Thursday changed its safety rules to require everyone to stay inside their vehicles with doors closed.

More:Finance

Recommend

NYPD official indicates that Mangione's family did not send in any tips

New York police officials are speaking out about tips in regard to the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealt

Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin win the 2024 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

Celebrated songwriting duo Elton John and Bernie Taupin will share this year's Gershwin Prize for Po

Alaska governor’s annual speech to lawmakers delayed as high winds disrupt flights

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s State of the State speech has been postponed until