The memory of one of the giraffes that died when it was struck by lightning at Lion Country Safari in May will live on after a field research trip to Africa.
"As you know, we did lose two giraffes recently, and one of them was an absolute staff favorite: Jioni," says keeper Ashley Ullrick.
The loss of 1-year-old Jioni (pictured below) and 10-year-old Lily impacted people across our community and the world.
On Safari, keepers Ullrick and Kimberly Good spotted a newly identified giraffe which did not yet have a name. A researcher from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation gave them an opportunity.
"Without even speaking [Kimberly and I] just looked at each other and immediately knew what his name should be. So now, it's really special for us to have a giraffe named Jioni (pictured below) out in Nambia wondering around; so we know his name is carried on," Ullrick weeps.
Read more about the day in the life of the giraffe keepers at Lion Country Safari.