An afternoon stroll through Greenstone Wildlife Estate ended in Barberton Hi-Tech’s Sakkie Dednam and his wife, Yvonne, being taken to hospital with serious injuries after they had been attacked by a young male giraffe yesterday.

The couple, who are well-known and loved in Barberton, are currently in Kiaat Private Hospital where they are both in a stable condition. Hi-Tech Nelspruit’s Frank Swanepoel says he had received a call from the pair’s son, Eduan, just after 17:00, informing him of the attack.

“They both take a walk through the estate where they live every afternoon. They were walking their dogs. A young male giraffe suddenly stormed them. It sounds like it kicked them and trampled them,” explains Swanepoel.

He adds the dogs managed to run away during the attack.

Swanepoel says the whole Hi-Tech team was shocked to hear about the attack, and that it was a big surprise that it had happened in the first place.

“We hope they both recover fully very soon. They have our full support, and we will be there to help them with whatever we can,” he adds.

Eduan says Sakkie was able to get under a bush at some point during the attack, but Yvonne was not. Their son adds his mom sustained some head injuries and a concussion, and that the doctors are still working on her and carrying out scans. He adds a few of Sakkie’s ribs were broken.

Eduan says the whole family is hoping for the best.

Gerhard Bessenger, the vice chairperson of the board of Greenstone Wildlife Estate, confirms the incident and says it is very unfortunate.

He explains Jan Oberholzer and his team of the provincial emergency medical services and Hi-Tech’s medical services were on the scene within minutes of receiving the call. He thanks them for their ‘incredible response’.

He says the estate is still awaiting feedback on the extent of the injuries and what had happened during the attack. Bessenger adds he would pray for the Dednams’ well-being, and also warns the other residents to be careful of the giraffes.