Alarming moment giraffe plucks toddler from family’s truck at Texas drive-thru safari as helpless mom tries to cling to her child
A Texas family got more than they bargained for when their drive-thru safari experience took a turn for the worse.
Jason Toten, his fiancée Sierra Robert and their children went to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose on Saturday for their wildlife tour, Toten told McClatchy News.
“We had a little family day, we just got out of the house,” he said.
Similar to a petting zoo, Fossil Rim offers visitors the opportunity to feed some of the animals with food they provide.
The couple and their daughter, Paisley, were admiring the passing animals and watching the hungry wildlife up close when a giraffe walked up to the truck, taking a particular liking to the toddler.
In an instant, the little girl is lifted into the air.
Jason Toten, his fiancée Sierra Robert (pictured) and their children headed to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose on Saturday for their wildlife tour, Toten told McClatchy News
A Texas family got more than they bargained for when their drive-thru safari experience took a turn for the worse
The car behind the truck carrying Toten and his family also captured video, where the giraffe can be seen accidentally grabbing the toddler’s shirt and lifting her into the air.
Robert reacted immediately and grabbed Paisley as she was lifted into the air by the giraffe.
“I looked out the back window and saw the giraffe … and then she went upstairs,” Toten said. ‘My heart stopped, it scared me to death.’
But the fear quickly disappeared as all the giraffe needed to let go of the toddler’s shirt was a stern “hey” from Robert.
And Paisley was the least worried of everyone.
“I think that scared the giraffe,” Toten said. “She wasn’t even scared,” he added. “As soon as her mother caught her, she said ‘oh.’
Toten said he understands the situation was a complete accident and that the giraffe intended to grab the food bag from Paisley’s hands, which she refused to let go.
“It ended up grabbing her shirt and lifting her out of the truck,” he said.
Toten said he understands the situation was a complete accident and that the giraffe intended to grab the food bag from Paisley’s hands, which she refused to let go.
After the incident, the family took Paisley to the gift shop, where all she wanted was a hug from her new favorite animal.
“We went in there and all she wanted was a giraffe toy and a giraffe T-shirt,” Toten said. “In the end we both got her, we felt she deserved it.”
Toten said that won’t stop their family from returning to Fossil Rim and that they will still ride in the back of the truck “because that is an experience in itself.”