Owner of giraffe killed after hitting head on bridge in South Africa 'could face action'

Pictures of two giraffes being transported caused widespread outrage

A South African animal rights group is seeking to prosecute the people responsible for the death of a giraffe after it reportedly smashed its head on a bridge as it was transported in a trailer on one of Africa's busiest motorways. (Getty Images )

A South African animal rights group said it is considering action over the death of a giraffe after it reportedly smashed its head on a bridge as it was transported in a trailer on one of Africa's busiest motorways.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing two giraffes in an open air trailer being driven under a bridge on Johannesburg's N1 motorway on Thursday. They reported that one of the animals had hit its head as it went under.

TV and radio personality Pabi Moloi posted a picture of the animal on Twitter shortly before the collision. "What a weird and sad thing to witness. That impact was so shocking," she wrote.

"Look how low that bridge is and how tall the giraffes are. Who thought this one through?"

Pictures of the incident sparked outrage on social media.

The giraffe’s owner confirmed the animal later died from a severe head trauma, according to The Citizen. “We went through lots of other bridges,” he said, adding he believed the animal had died because it had craned its neck.

South Africa's National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) said they would be seeking to take action against those responsible.

"We're very concerned about the way it was transported. Most definitely there has been negligence," NSPCA manager Rick Allen said.