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Two Giraffes Killed By 'Billion-To-One' Lightning Strike

Staff and fans alike at Florida's Lion Country Safari are in mourning after the passing of two giraffes, 10-year-old Lily and one-year-old Jioni.

The pair were found together following a severe thunderstorm in what park officials are calling a "billion-to-one" incident.

Before the accident, 20 giraffes were housed at Lion Country Safari.

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According to a Facebook post by the park, the giraffes passed away about six weeks ago. However, they didn't want to release the information until they were certain of the cause of death, as well as out of respect.

The animals did not suffer.

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"Recent pathology results confirm that the giraffe did pass as a result of the lightning and that the manner of their passing was instantaneous," the park's statement read.

It's unclear whether Lily and Jioni, who were not related, were felled by a single lightning bolt or if two separate bolts brought them down, but they were found close to each other.

It's also unclear whether the park could have done more to prevent such an accident.

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"The giraffe do have access to numerous shelters in the multi-acre habitat, if they choose to use them," said the park. Of course, the keepers have no way to force the animals into shelter in the middle of a sudden, severe storm.

"It's like a billion-to-one chance this happened to us and our poor giraffes, but we are looking at anything we can to improve upon" safety, spokeswoman Haley Passeser told NBC News.

The team at Lion Country Safari team is feeling the loss of Lily and Jioni keenly.

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"The keepers and our whole team were understandably devastated by this sudden and tragic loss," the post read. "We continue to mourn our two incredibly lovely and charismatic giraffe; they will both be sorely missed."

h/t NBC News

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