lion country safari death

Florida safari park mourns 'tragic loss' of 2 giraffes killed by lightning

The Safari said it was "deeply saddened" by the sudden deaths of Lily and Jioni.

Two giraffes living at a Florida wildlife park were fatally struck by lightning during a severe thunderstorm.

The Lion Country Safari in South Florida said it was "deeply saddened" by the sudden deaths of Lily and Jioni, who died during a recent severe thunderstorm, officials said Tuesday.

They were found dead in a pasture within their habitat about six weeks ago, but the cause of their deaths were a mystery until now . The safari shared the news in a Facebook post on Tuesday, telling followers that staff at the park were “devastated by this sudden and tragic loss.”

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"Recent pathology results confirm that the giraffe[s] did pass as a result of the lightning and that the manner of their passing was instantaneous," the safari said. "The keepers and our whole team were understandably devastated by this sudden and tragic loss."

Officials said they waited to release details on the deaths, in part, because they wanted to give caretakers a chance to grieve. They described the animals as being "very charismatic" and close with staff members.

"Out of respect for their mourning and the pending pathology results, we waited to share this information,” the statement said. “We continue to mourn our two incredibly lovely and charismatic giraffes; they will both be sorely missed.”

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The Facebook post garnered more than 3,000 comments and reactions in just two hours.

"I am so very sorry for your loss. It’s obvious how much love and care you provide to all the animals, this must be devastating. Thank you for all you’ve done for Lily and Jioni," one Facebook user wrote.

(MORE: Woodland Park Zoo's 12 year old giraffe, Olivia gives birth to new baby boy )

"Sending lots of hugs and prayers to the keepers as we know they work incredibly hard and selflessly to care and protect these beautiful creatures," another user added.

The safari also addressed potential concerns about its sheltering system. It said the giraffe “do have access to numerous shelters in the multi-acre habitat, if they choose to use them.”

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Lissa, white rhino who survived horn cancer, dies at age 43 at Lion Country Safari

Lissa's triumph over a rare form of horn cancer in 2014 won the hearts of animal lovers worldwide. it added nearly a decade to her life..

LOXAHATCHEE — Lissa, the white rhino whose triumph over a rare horn cancer a decade ago drew the affection of animal lovers and the attention of the news media, died last week surrounded by her lifelong caretakers at Lion Country Safari .

The park’s staff said Monday that Lissa had died at the age of 43 from inoperable colic, which stemmed from digestive tract issues.

“It's absolutely devastating,” park spokesperson Haley McCann said. “We've been taking care of her her entire life.”

Despite the painful loss, McCann said, Lissa was a success story for Lion Country Safari , which since 1967 has cared for wild animals with minimal human intervention. In the wild, rhinos tend to live 30 to 35 years.

“We were able to manage her cancer case and get her almost 10 extra years of quality, comfortable life living with her herd,” she said.

From 2014: Free of basketball-sized tumor, Lissa the Rhino is a cancer survivor

White rhinos critically endangered, but 14 live at Lion Country Safari

Lissa was born on Dec. 11, 1980, at Lion Country Safari . She was among the first white rhinos ever to be born in the park, where they roam free next to zebras and wildebeests while visitors watch them from their cars.

White rhinos, a species native to Africa, have two horns and are considered critically endangered after conservationists thought they had gone extinct in the late 1990s due to poaching. 

Lion Country Safari has 14 white rhinos and is part of the White Rhinoceros Species Survival Plan, a national program by the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums to prevent the white rhinos' extinction.

A wild-animal baby boom? Lion Country Safari says 31 births show its formula is working

Ten years ago, Lissa’s caretaker saw a sore on the base of her bottom horn. A veterinarian found a tumor the size of a squished basketball and diagnosed her with a rare form of horn cancer in December 2013. 

Veterinarians and doctors from local hospitals jumped on the mission to save Lissa.

They performed five dangerous surgeries to cut out the tumor, drilling at her horn and injecting chemotherapy drugs to prevent a spread on the rest. It was one of the first recorded procedures of its type. 

Lissa's diagnosis garnered her national attention with an outpouring of letters, social-media comments and visits to the safari park from around the country. 

A veterinarian declared Lissa was cancer-free years later, and she continued to live with the herd, including her two daughters, Eliza, 22, and Kiangaza, 27.

Lissa's progress sparked celebrations at Lion Country Safari

Despite the painful procedures, McCann said, Lissa never stopped coming over to her caretaker for sweet molasses, and she would squiggle her eyes at the veterinarian.

Lissa even learned how to place her head on a disk for radiography.

“It's like she was able to recognize that we were helping her,” McCann said. “Every time we would reach a new milestone of getting her healthy, everybody would cheer and celebrate.”

Ever since the announcement of Lissa's death, the park's staff has been overwhelmed with hundreds of caring messages from people in the community.

McCann said most of the messages will be framed on a poster board for the staff to read as they mourn her loss.

“She will be sorely missed,” said McCann. “But her legacy lives on in our fond memories of her and through the lasting impact on rhinoceros care and veterinary treatment from her battle with cancer.”

Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today .

Two giraffes killed by 'billion-to-one' lightning strike at Florida wildlife park

Two giraffes were fatally struck by lightning in a "billion-to-one" tragedy at a Florida wildlife park.

The deadly incident happened May 3, killing 10-year-old female Lily and year-old male Jioni, according to Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, about 20 miles west of West Palm Beach. The facility, which had 20 giraffes before the incident, describes itself as an amusement park and drive-thru safari.

Lily was between 14 feet to 16 feet tall, while Jioni was between 10 feet and 12 feet, according to Lion Country Safari spokeswoman Haley Passeser. The giraffes were not related, the park says.

"Recent pathology results confirm that the giraffes did pass as a result of the lightning and that the manner of their passing was instantaneous," the park said Tuesday in a statement.

There are "numerous shelters in the multiacre habitat, if they choose to use them." But, the park says, there is no way to force any of the giraffes to use them during a 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" safeguards for the animals, Passeser told NBC News.

No park staff actually witnessed the fatal lighting strike. It's not clear if the animals were killed by two separate bolts or perhaps one that hit the ground near Lily and Jioni, who were found close to each other, according to Passeser.

Giraffes tend to live between 20 to 25 years, Passeser said, though animal rights activists claim the massive mammals have much shorter lifespans in captivity.

"The keepers and our whole team were understandably devastated by this sudden and tragic loss; out of respect for their mourning and the pending pathology results, we waited to share this information," according to the safari's statement.

"We continue to mourn our two incredibly lovely and charismatic giraffes; they will both be sorely missed."

Ali Gostanian is a New York-based senior reporter with NBC News' Social Newsgathering team.

David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Lightning kills 2 giraffes at same Florida wildlife park in 'billion to one' tragedy

In what park officials called a "billion to one" tragedy, two giraffes were killed by lightning at a Florida safari park.

Lion Country Safari  in Loxahatchee, Florida, said Tuesday that recent medical reports confirmed that the giraffes died instantly last month when they were struck by lightning. 

"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 for the animals, safari spokeswoman Haley Passeser told NBC News .

The park said the giraffes, named Lily and Jioni, were in a pasture when the lightning hit them but that they had access to multiple shelters in their multi-acre habitat.

No park officials saw the lightning strike, so it wasn't clear whether one or two bolts killed the animals, Passeser told NBC News.

"It was absolutely heart-wrenching," the zoo's wildlife director Brian Dowling told WPEC-TV . "This was just an act of Mother Nature that we couldn't stop; we couldn't alter how that came about."

The park, which bills itself as a "drive-through safari" and "cageless zoo," had 20 giraffes before the deaths, NBC reported.

Follow USA TODAY's Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller

Lissa's Legacy: White rhino and cancer survivor dies at 43 in Lion Country Safari

by Skyler Shepard

LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (CBS12) — A beloved staple to Lion Country Safari, Lissa the white rhino has died.

The safari park made the announcement on Monday.

"With an immensely heavy heart, we share that Lissa, an extraordinary white rhinoceros, passed away last week at the age of 43, surrounded by her animal care team and our entire vet team," the park made in a statement.

The park said an examination has been performed and results are still pending, but veterinary staff believes she passed due to inoperable colic, something that often afflicts her close domestic relative, the horse.

In the wild, Southern white rhinoceroses may live to about 35 years, the median life expectancy under human care is about 40 years, the park said.

See also: Tracking 4 systems in the tropics

Lissa gained national attention and earned the hearts of many when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in her horn in December 2013. The park said, "In what was perhaps one of our greatest challenges and most rewarding successes in recent memory, her dedicated and passionate team, along with consulting veterinarians and human medical specialists, spent countless hours removing the cancer and restoring her health."

"Our team is devastated by the loss, but we are grateful for the nearly 10 additional years we’ve had with her since her initial cancer diagnosis. Lissa was in remission and she lived a comfortable life in the herd, something that is important in this gregarious species," the park said in an emotional post honoring the rhino. "Lissa will be remembered as a friendly, inspiring, and patient rhinoceros and an incredible ambassador for her species. She will be sorely missed but her legacy lives on in our fond memories of her and through the lasting impact on rhinoceros care and veterinary treatment from her battle with cancer. Please feel free to leave condolences for our staff in the comments and we will share them with the team."

On Friday, another famous animal died at another center in South Florida. Lolita the orca died after 50 years of captivity at the Miami Seaquarium.

Watch CBS News

Lightning strike kills two giraffes at Florida zoo

By Caitlin O'Kane

June 12, 2019 / 1:42 PM EDT / CBS News

An rare tragedy struck a Florida zoo recently when two giraffes were killed by lightning, Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, Florida announced on Facebook.

"Lily and Jioni were in the pasture in their habitat when a severe thunderstorm quickly developed 6 weeks ago," the zoo wrote. "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 zoo said they waited to receive the pathology results before sharing information about the deaths. 

The zoo said the two animal will "be sorely missed." The zoo staff is devastated by the tragic loss, the post reads. "We continue to mourn our two incredibly lovely and charismatic giraffe."

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of two of our giraffe due to a lightning strike. Lily and Jioni were in the... Posted by Lion Country Safari on  Tuesday, June 11, 2019

The zoo said the giraffes "do have access to numerous shelters in the multi-acre habitat, if they choose to use them." But in Florida, lightning strikes are just more common than elsewhere.

The state is the "lightning capital," Amitabh Nag, a scientist at the Florida Institute of Technology, told CBS News in 2017. "So one thing we know about Florida, it is hot and humid -- and it is precisely this reason why we have a lot of lightning," Nag said. Because two warm bodies surround the peninsula, and the sea breeze brings hot air inland, towering thunderclouds form.

Lightning caused 52 deaths in the state between 2007 and 2017, and it may seem like lightning strikes are becoming more common across the U.S. However, the number of deaths cause by lightning have actually decreased over the past decade, John Jensenius, a lightning specialist for the National Weather Service told CBS News.  

The number of deaths decreased because there is more awareness, Jensenius said. The National Weather Service began a lightning safety campaign in 2001, including the first national Lightning Safety Awareness Week.

If it seems like lightning strikes are still surging, that's because we are currently in peak season. "More than 70 percent of the lightning deaths occurred in the months of June, July, and August, with Saturdays and Sundays having slightly more deaths than other days of the week," Jensenius said.

• Lightning Strike

Caitlin O'Kane is a New York City journalist who works on the CBS News social media team as a senior manager of content and production. She writes about a variety of topics and produces "The Uplift," CBS News' streaming show that focuses on good news.

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Kings Island has dealt with safety issues, made improvements in past decades

For millions of visitors over the five decades since Kings Island opened the amusement park has been synonymous with fun — not injury or death.

But like most other amusement parks across the nation that have been in operation for decades, Kings Island has seen both happen on very rare occasions.

The worst day in park history was Sunday, June 9, 1991 when three park visitors died and one was hospitalized.

According to a June 10 Associated Press story, two, 20-year-old men — one of them a Kings Island employee — were electrocuted to death when wading into a small pond in the park.

A third man, who was hospitalized, had gone into the water first and the two men were trying to come to his aid.

A later investigation by park officials and police revealed an exposed electrical line in the pond had killed the two men.

In a separate incident the same evening, according to AP, a woman was killed in a fall from the Flight Commander ride shortly before the park was to close at 10 p.m.

And in 1983 a high school student climbed over a security fence on the park’s Eiffel Tower replica and died after falling down the tower’s elevator shaft.

And in the early 1970s a park employee working in Kings Island’s former “Lion Country Safari” was killed by animals — out of sight of park guests — in the outdoor exhibit area.

In 2006, a total of 27 people were injured when a car on the Son of Beast ride hit a span of track that had separated where timbers splintered on the giant wooden roller coaster in July 2006. The ride was subsequently closed for alterations.

But these incidents — taking place among the millions who have visited the Warren County amusement park during the last 50 years — are as rare as they are horrific.

Visitor safety has always been the top priority, said Kings Island officials.

As the park’s many thrill rides became more dynamic during the last half-century, so too has the park’s sophistication in applying detailed safety measures to ensure all riders are of the proper ages and heights so to remain securely safe on each ride.

Park ride attendees, signage and announcements alert riders to the severity of the physical jostling of each ride, including warnings for those pregnant, suffering high blood pressure or heart, back or neck trouble and those with recent surgeries to avoid riding.

Moreover, guests are encouraged to access online a guide to thrill level of rides — with a rating of one being the lowest and five the highest — to further their safe enjoyment of park rides.

“Many rides at Kings Island are dynamic and thrilling,” according to a statement from park officials listed in the ride safety information provided to all guests.

“There are inherent risks in riding any amusement ride. For your protection, each ride is rated for its special features, such as high speeds, steep drops, sharp turns, or other dynamic forces,” said officials.

Kings Island also has its own security force — including a camera system — and works closely with local law enforcement to maintain a safe environment for guests.

For safety reasons, said Kings Island Spokesman Chad Showalter, park officials do not publicly discuss details regarding its various security personnel, systems or strategies.

About the Author

YESTER LION COUNTRY SAFARI (CALIFORNIA) HOURS:

Open every day of the year, rain or shine, at 9 a.m. until:

      Summer — June 1 to Labor Day — 6:00 p.m.       Fall — Day after Labor Day to October 31 — 5:00 p.m.       Winter — November 1 to March 31 — 3:30 p.m.       Spring — April 1 to May 31 — 5:00 p.m.

Prices and operating hours subject to change without notice.

According to the brochure, “Go Wild! Drive thru Lion Country Safari African Wildlife Preserve.”

You don’t have to go to Africa for this African Safari. It’s only a 20-minute drive from Yesterland. Lion Country Safari is 40 miles from Downtown Los Angeles or 64 miles from Downtown San Diego, according to the brochure. Just head down the San Diego Freeway to the Moulton Parkway off-ramp. Your safari awaits you right on the Irvine Ranch in Orange County, California.

You’ll be greeted by a sign that reads, “No Trespassing. Violators Will Be Eaten! Lion Country Safari.”

Drive up to a ticket window. Adults are $3.25; children five through eleven are $1.50; four and under are free. There is no charge for parking.

If you’re driving a convertible, you won’t be allowed to drive it through the safari. (They don’t really want the lions to eat you.) Park your convertible at the Hertz Hut and rent an air-conditioned sedan or safari-type vehicle at nominal charge.

Did you bring your pets with you? According to the brochure, “Domestic animals are not permitted in automobiles touring the preserve. First-rate accommodations are provided for them, free, at the Kal Kan Kennel Club.”

A ranger watches from a tower to make sure everything is okay.

You’ll see more than just lions at California’s Lion Country Safari. You can drive your Impala among the antelope. The cheetahs can outrun your Cougar—you have a speed limit, but they don’t. Giraffes will tower over your Pinto. Curious ostriches might peck at your Falcon.

Experience an authentic safari in your family car.

The animals have the right-of-way. Given the size of the elephants and rhinoceroses, nobody should debate this rule.

Camels and zebras and gnus, oh my!

The zebras are glad that they’re separated from the lions by fences. Park guests are glad that the fences are hidden in ditches so that it feels like driving through an African savanna, not through a series of fenced enclosures.

Keep your windows rolled up!

Over 400 animals call Lion Country Safari “home.”

The stars of the show

The highlight of your safari is being surrounded by lions. The only thing between you and the ferocious beasts is your car window. A lion might even jump on the hood of your car—but, more likely, the well-fed lions will all be on the ground taking it easy.

If a 500-pound adult lion dents the hood of your car, how will you explain it to your insurance company?

“Jambo!”

When you finish your drive-through tour of the preserve, the fun isn’t over yet. Park your car and visit the Safari Camp and Entertainment Area.

Map of Safari Camp

For a larger (1200x1400 GIF) version of this Safari Camp map, click here .

Lion Country Flamingos

Take a Zambezi River Cruise (adults 75 cents, children 50 cents)—the animals along the river are real, unlike those at the Jungle Cruise in that park in Anaheim.

Zambezi River Cruise

California’s Lion Country Safari entertained visitors from 1970 to 1984.

On June 16, 1970, Lion Country Safari in Irvine opened to the public. The location in Southern California had a lot going for it—a great climate, a large local population, and a significant tourist base. But Lion Country Safari had stiff competition from Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and the beach.

Lion Country Safari was given a big boost by an unlikely star attraction. An elderly, nearly toothless lion named Frasier came from a Mexican circus in February 1971. The old cat’s tongue dangled from one side of his mouth, and he had trouble walking. He may not have been much to look at as far as we humans were concerned, but the lionesses saw him differently. There was a population boom of lion cubs at the park. Frasier’s sorry visage adorned tee-shirts and other park souvenirs. Frasier sired 35 cubs until his death in June 1972 at 17-20 years of age, equivalent to a human age of 85-100 years. Frasier even inspired a 1973 feature movie, Frasier the Sensuous Lion , rated PG.

In 1981, Irvine Meadows Amphitheater was added to Lion Country Safari. It was Verizon Wireless Amphitheater from 2000 to 2014. Then it reverted to its original name, before closing permanently in 2016.

On October 27, 1984, in the Los Angeles Times , staff writer Bruce Horowitz wrote about the end of the drive-through safari at Lion Country Safari:

The roar of Lion Country Safari may soon be replaced by a gurgle.

Park officials announced Thursday that they intend to phase out the 100-acre animal preserve at the struggling tourist attraction and replace a portion of it with a major water-theme amusement park.

“This land is so valuable that it no longer makes sense to have these animals occupying 100 choice acres,” said Harry Shuster, president of Lion Country Safari Inc. Over the next three months, the park plans to begin converting operations and selling its estimated 300 “wild” animals—valued at more than $200,000—to other animal parks and zoos nationwide, Shuster added.

When the lions and tigers are gone, the only remaining animals at the park will be tame ones in its petting zoo and exotic birds. Nevertheless, Shuster stressed, the park will retain the name Lion Country Safari. “Why not?” he asked. “Magic Mountain doesn’t have any magic nor is it on a mountain. And Knott’s Berry Farm hasn’t been a real farm for many years.

In November 1984, after more than 14 years in business, Lion Country Safari closed permanently. In 1986, part of the former Safari Camp became Wild Rivers Waterpark.

Surprisingly, the “so valuable” land that was once the drive-through safari remained undeveloped for decades.

The water park operated until September 2011. It’s now the site of Los Olivos, the largest apartment complex in Orange County, with 1,750 units. More apartments are planned for the site of the amphitheater when its lease runs out in 2017.

The Lion Country Safari name has long been erased. Moulton Parkway adjacent to the site is now called Irvine Center Drive. (It’s still Moulton Parkway after Lake Forest Drive.)

Yes, Lion Country Safari is long gone—but you can still visit Lion Country Safari. It doesn’t require a time machine.

That’s because the original (1967) Lion Country in Loxahatchee, Florida, is still open for business.

There’s still a Lion Country Safari near West Palm Beach, Florida.

Over 900 animals live at the Florida park. The four-decade-old attraction has aged gracefully. In recent years, the owners have upgraded the facilities with new features such as a giraffe feeding station, a ferris wheel, and a children’s water-play area, Safari Splash.

Cars and animals still the share the road in Florida.

There’s a four-mile drive-through preserve which provides great views of many different species. Guests are lent a CD or cassette for commentary through the car’s stereo. The lions are now fenced in. Chimpanzees live on islands. The elephants, who had long ago been moved into an elephant enclosure, were removed from Lion Country Safari in 2006; they are now at facilities that provide better social and physical environments for them. (Lion Country Safari’s Bulwagi the elephant was at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for four years before moving to the Birmingham Zoo in December 2010.) But there are still plenty of species wandering around in surprisingly large herds.

Ostriches seem to enjoy seeing their reflections in car windows.

The Safari World area provides animal exhibits, demonstrations, and rides (including rather Dumbo-esque flying elephants). After visiting Safari World, guests are welcome to drive through the preserve again at no additional charge.

It’s worth visiting Florida’s Lion Country Safari if you like animals and you’re in the area. Don’t expect the spectacular art direction of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. (It doesn’t cost as much for admission either.) This is a lovely, old-fashioned Florida attraction for guests of all ages.

© 2007-2020 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks

Updated January 5, 2020

• Scanned image of lions on road at Lion Country Safari, Irvine, California, from a Lion Country Safari brochure circa 1971. Included here for historical illustration.
• Scanned cover of Lion Country Safari brochure circa 1971. Included here for historical illustration.
• Photo of Lion Country Safari sign: from the collection of Richard Harris.
• Scan of Lion Country Safari exchange ticket: from the collection of Richard Harris.
• Photo of Lion Country Safari guard tower and giraffes: from the collection of Richard Harris.
• Scanned image of rhinos and elephants at Lion Country Safari, Irvine, California, from a Lion Country Safari brochure circa 1971. Included here for historical illustration.
• Photo of Lion Country Safari camels: from the collection of Richard Harris.
• Photo of Lion Country Safari tigers: from the collection of Richard Harris.
• Photo of Lion Country Safari giraffes on road: from the collection of Richard Harris.
• Photo of pride of lions at Lion Country Safari: courtesy of the Orange County Archives, Santa Ana, California.
• Photo of Lion Country Safari entrance to Safari Camp: from the collection of Richard Harris.
• Scanned image of map of Safari Camp and Entertainment Area at Lion Country Safari, Irvine, California, from a Lion Country Safari brochure circa 1972. Artist: T. Smith. Included here for historical illustration.
• Photo of Lion Country Safari flamingos: from the collection of Richard Harris.
• Photo of Lion Country Safari boat ride: from the collection of Richard Harris.
• Photo of Lion Country Safari (Florida) sign: 2006 by Werner Weiss.
• Photo of animals and SUV at Lion Country Safari (Florida): 2006 by Werner Weiss.
• Photo of an ostrich at Lion Country Safari (Florida): 2006 by Werner Weiss.

Richard Harris is the author Early Amusement Parks of Orange County .

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Lion Country Safari Mauling: An Untold Story

By KIghostguy , January 6, 2018 in Kings Island

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Hello everyone. Here is my latest writing, this one about an often-forgotten tragedy on Lion Country Safari. Has a complete account of the incident and investigation with exclusive information with several rare photos. Hope you all find this interesting.

https://kingsislandghost.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-untold-story-of-kings-islands-fatal.html

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February 9, 2019

No. Outpost 5 is in reference to the recordings that used to play in Adventure Express' queue line. "All aboard the express for Outpost 5."  The loose storyline to AE was that you were boarding a

January 16, 2018

I'm showing my age here...but this is kind of funny. So I remembered going on this safari as a little girl, probably when I was about 5...and apparently didn't go back to the park again until after th

January 6, 2018

Hello everyone. Here is my latest writing, this one about an often-forgotten tragedy on Lion Country Safari. Has a complete account of the incident and investigation with exclusive information with se

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An important thing to note, as you mentioned at the end of the article, is that when it originally opened, it was not operated by Kings Island.

Sister park Kings Dominion also had a Lion Country Safari.  To this day, Six Flags Great Adventure still has a drive thru animal safari located next to the amusement park.

13 minutes ago, CoastersRZ said: An important thing to note, as you mentioned at the end of the article, is that when it originally opened, it was not operated by Kings Island. Sister park Kings Dominion also had a Lion Country Safari.  To this day, Six Flags Great Adventure still has a drive thru animal safari located next to the amusement park.

Thanks for reading the post. I mention the Kings Dominion Safari at the beginning of the post.

I must have read right over that part!

Very sad, but interesting. Thanks!

Magenta Lizard

I can't believe he wasn't fired before the mauling. I can only hope it was that the incidents other than his leaving the vehicle were either not reported to his supervisors or were downplayed by those who witnessed them. Seriously, straddling a lion? Pulling their tails as a regular thing? What was wrong with him?!

TheRickster

Would there be a way to super impose the map from the report showing the incident location with a satellite photo of the current park?

17 hours ago, Magenta Lizard said: I can't believe he wasn't fired before the mauling. I can only hope it was that the incidents other than his leaving the vehicle were either not reported to his supervisors or were downplayed by those who witnessed them. Seriously, straddling a lion? Pulling their tails as a regular thing? What was wrong with him?!

Agreed. He did seem to be a rather careless fellow whose actions reflect that of someone who neither respected his own life nor the danger the lions posed. If this was truly known to be common behavior from him, he should have been reported and he should have been fired. Heck, he shouldn't have worked there at all.  

8 hours ago, TheRickster said: Would there be a way to super impose the map from the report showing the incident location with a satellite photo of the current park?

There certainly is a way; the problem is that I don’t know where the lion enclosure was located in present-day Kings Island.

Would love to see the source materials and citations for this Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

On 1/7/2018 at 11:48 AM, shark6495 said: Would love to see the source materials and citations for this Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Associated Press. "Kings Island Ranger Killed By Lion; Found in Park Safari Section" (July 25, 1976) Wire Report

_____________. "Lions Fatally Attack Ranger" (July 26, 1976) Wire Report

_____________. "Massive Neck Bite Killed Lion Park Ranger" (July 27, 1976) Wire Report

_____________. "Mauled Ranger Left His Vehicle" (July 31, 1976) Wire Report

_____________. "Ranger Killed By Lion Had Been Injured Previously" (July 28, 1976) Wire Report

Brinkmoeller, Tom. "Update" (January 5, 1978)  The Cincinnati Enquirer

Enquirer Hamilton Bureau. "Ranger's Body Discovered in Lion Preserve" (July 25, 1976)  The Cincinnati Enquirer

Enquirer Lebanon Bureau. "Illness Might Have Caused Ranger to Leave His Jeep" (July 27, 1976)  The Cincinnati Enquirer

_____________________. " Probe Launched in Ranger's Death" (July 28, 1976)  The Cincinnati Enquirer

Fusco, Pete. "Kings Island Ranger Killed by Lion Attack" (July 25, 1976)  Dayton Daily News

__________. "Lion Victim's Mother Wants Patrol Probe" (July 27, 1976)  Dayton Daily News

__________. "Lion's Bite Fatal Quickly, Coroner Says" (July 26, 1976)  Dayton Daily News

__________  and Stewart, Don. "Sheriff's Probe Asks If or Why Ranger Left Jeep" (July 29, 1976)  Dayton Daily News

Graham, Mike. "'How' in Ranger Death Determined, But 'Why' Unknown" (July 26, 1976)  Journal-News  (Hamilton, OH)

___________. "Kings Island: Investigation Ahead" (July 28, 1976)  Journal-News  (Hamilton, OH)

Hunter, Ginny. "Blood May Be Clue to Ranger's Death" (July 28, 1976)  The Cincinnati Post

___________. "Lion Victim Had Been Hurt Before" (July 27, 1976)  The Cincinnati Post

___________. "Still a Mystery: Why Did Safari Ranger Leave Jeep?" (July 26, 1976)  The Cincinnati Post

No Byline. "Coroner Has Theory on Ranger Death" (July 27, 1976)  The Journal Herald  (Dayton, OH)

________. "Death at Kings Island May Remain a Mystery" (July 26, 1976)  The Journal Herald  (Dayton, OH)

________. "Lion Bite Fatal to Ranger, Coroner Rules" (July 28, 1976)  The Western Star  (Lebanon, OH)

________. "Lion Mauling Ruling Today?" (July 26, 1976)  The Cincinnati Enquirer

________. "Lion May Have Killed Kings Island Ranger" (July 25, 1976)  Journal-News  (Hamilton, OH)

________. "Mauled Ranger Disobeyed Rules, Sheriff Reports" (July 31, 1976)  The Cincinnati Post

________. "Mauling Death Probe Hangs on Blood Tests" (July 29, 1976)  The Cincinnati Post

_______. “ Ranger’s Death Investigated” (August 3, 1976)  The Warren County Reporter

________.  "Sheriff Ends Ranger Probe" (August 4, 1976)  The Western Star  (Lebanon, OH)

________. "Tests Completed in Ranger's Death" (August 5, 1976)  The Cincinnati Post

Roher, Jim. "Mauling Victim Left Vehicle, Investigators Believe" (August 1, 1976)  The Cincinnati Enquirer

In addition to the above newspaper articles, I also have the full case file from the Warren County Sheriff's Office. That includes: the investigation report by Col. Lynn Ertel, witness statements from Dick Fussner, Candace Walker, Dennie Acus, Pat Callahan and Terry Gressner, first-aid report from the July 4 clawing, autopsy and lab report on John McCann, memo sent to the sheriff from deputy Harold Metcalf, June and July safety memos, job description sheet for Lion Country Safari, maintenance report on jeep #5, notes from Col. Ertel, the July 30 press release, and all photographs taken by Col. Ertel, Clark Nolte, Coroner Ralph Young, Dick Fussner and the Hamilton County Coroner's Office.

Thanks I love original sources. It’s the skeptic in me:). Plus reading in the news papers at the time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

AZ Kinda Guy

I’m having trouble placing the site of the mauling. Perhaps an overhead shot from Google Earth?

22 minutes ago, AZ Kinda Guy said: I’m having trouble placing the site of the mauling. Perhaps an overhead shot from Google Earth?

This is from Google Earth. The map from the Sheriff's Office puts Blazer Berm behind the lake in the center-right of this picture. So, the location today is a restricted area behind Banshee.

Kind of off topic, but I wonder how often Google updates Google Earth?  Son of Beast was torn down in 2012 and it's still on the map.  

On topic, thank you for the write up.  Seems like he was just a young guy who maybe didn't appreciate how dangerous those big cats can be and paid for it with his life.  Such a tragedy.

57 minutes ago, timfsu2k said: Kind of off topic, but I wonder how often Google updates Google Earth?  Son of Beast was torn down in 2012 and it's still on the map.

Way more often that it appears to the unaware user. Warning: rant ahead.

I hate, hate, HATE that Google Maps satellite view always defaults to showing 3D constructions, with no way to change that default permanently on the web. What this does is show the latest imagery that has 3D graphics available for everything , with all newer imagery ignored because they haven't been fully 3D-ified. If you turn 3D off (which SHOULD be the default, but Google in their infinite wisdom gives us no way to change that default on the web) by opening the menu in the upper left and clicking "3D on", you will actually get up-to-date imagery that you SHOULD be given in the first place that shows a completed Mystic Timbers and also shows the Island Smokehouse under construction, indicating that it is from spring 2017.

</rant>

8 hours ago, AZ Kinda Guy said: I’m having trouble placing the site of the mauling. Perhaps an overhead shot from Google Earth?

8 hours ago, KIghostguy said: This is from Google Earth. The map from the Sheriff's Office puts Blazer Berm behind the lake in the center-right of this picture. So, the location today is a restricted area behind Banshee.  

I did my best to do it quickly in photo shop.... evidently the hand drawn map is not to any sense of scale....

Yeah I've been all over back there and wasn't sure which pond/lake it was referring to. Very cool to see it laid out like that! I was even thinking maybe it was the pond by the campground, but it seems to fit that photoshop just fine.

The road going from the old SOB station out past FOF totally feels like you're driving through the Savannah.

Another amazing blog! I always feel like I know so much about KI and then people like you and @Shaggy  show me that there are always so many details to the stories that we don’t even think about. Great work!

Obviously nearly all of the Wild Animal Habitat is gone now. Much of it was lost to progress, with a few remnants still remaining in the woods. Kings Dominion’s closed at a similar time to Kings Island’s attraction but their boneyard is far more interesting. There is still a huge network of confusing backroads through the woods at KD that are surrounded by several layers of security fences and multi-tiered gates. It is VERY evident that it used to be a zoo of some sort. From almost anywhere in the park you can’t tell that anything is back in the woods, but it’s almost like a whole city.

Can anyone confirm that KI’s Wild Animal Safari was opened year-round, as mentioned in the blog? I had heard that before, but never from a first hand source. I know that in the later years KI partnered with the Cincinnati Zoo, so a lot of the animals went there in the winter. When did it stop being year-round? Would you enter the park through the main gates to do this in the winter, or was there a separate gate somewhere?

KIs safari area was still like that at least as of 08. It's just so overgrown you can't see it on the satellite photos now. There are still a couple buildings out there and the TALL fencing is there in parts.

5 hours ago, BoddaH1994 said: Another amazing blog! I always feel like I know so much about KI and then people like you and @Shaggy  show me that there are always so many details to the stories that we don’t even think about. Great work ... Can anyone confirm that KI’s Wild Animal Safari was opened year-round, as mentioned in the blog? I had heard that before, but never from a first hand source. I know that in the later years KI partnered with the Cincinnati Zoo, so a lot of the animals went there in the winter. When did it stop being year-round? Would you enter the park through the main gates to do this in the winter, or was there a separate gate somewhere?

First of all, thank you for your kind words. I’m really glad everyone is enjoying these blog posts!

In regards to your question...yes, it was open year-round. I can’t remember exact dates of the articles off the top of my head, but it was mentioned several times in the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1974. The International Restaurant was also open year-round.

• 2 weeks later...

AFAIK The Lion Country Safari was never opened year-round at KI.  It was intended to, but never did.  The park issued a press release the first week of October 1974 indicating the attraction would be open weekends only through November (originally intended for daily operations) and then closed for the winter months.  (Mostly because the area was bracing for a hard winter - predicted by the farmers almanac.)

1 hour ago, Shaggy said: AFAIK The Lion Country Safari was never opened year-round at KI.  It was intended to, but never did.  The park issued a press release the first week of October 1974 indicating the attraction would be open weekends only through November (originally intended for daily operations) and then closed for the winter months.  (Mostly because the area was bracing for a hard winter - predicted by the farmers almanac.)

Thanks. Yes, I just double-checked and you are correct. 

Hope you find the article interesting and feel free to use the info/pictures on Sit On It.

On 1/6/2018 at 5:16 PM, Magenta Lizard said: I can't believe he wasn't fired before the mauling. I can only hope it was that the incidents other than his leaving the vehicle were either not reported to his supervisors or were downplayed by those who witnessed them. Seriously, straddling a lion? Pulling their tails as a regular thing? What was wrong with him?!

You got to remember the times. Back then, kids could go roller skating in the streets with no helmets or pads. You could still whip your kids. Pregnant women smoked and drank. People smoked everywhere, including airplanes(gag). And lawyers didn't rule the world. Safety wasn't as big of a thing. Looking back, the guy clearly was asking for it. But then, they all probably had a good laugh about until he died. 

King Ding Dong

^ I remember people smoking in hospital rooms. Funny but not funny.  

XGatorHead 8904

When I was in elementary school, we went on a field trip to KI to ride the monorail.  It was my first time being in the park while it was closed; the only thing open was the monorail.  IIRC, our school was the only one there but I could very well be mistaken about that.  I was going to Hopewell Elementary at the time so this would have been 1st or 2nd grade in 1979-1981 or 4th or 5th grade in 1982 - 1984 (we had switched school districts in 3rd grade).  That's a field trip I'll always remember because it was so different to see the park absolutely quiet and I though it was so neat that they would open just for us.

Back then, my family only got to visit the park once a year using the tickets that my grandma got from working at KI. In addition to the park tickets, the employees were given tickets to the monorail too; I even received them when I started working at the park in '89, so I rode it every time I went back then.

And thanks for citing your sources.  I was going to ask for them too because a lot of those incidents sound like disciplinary issues that would have been kept within the park, but I can see how they were probably in the investigative reports that followed.

59 minutes ago, XGatorHead 8904 said: And thanks for citing your sources.  I was going to ask for them too because a lot of those incidents sound like disciplinary issues that would have been kept within the park, but I can see how they were probably in the investigative reports that followed.

As far as McCann's past incidents, with the exception of the clawing, no reports were written and they were only brought up in the statements from the fellow rangers.  

YOULLBEBACK

Could you imagine the liability of an attraction like this nowadays?  What a different world just a couple decades ago!

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Lissa, 43-year-old rhinoceros at Lion Country Safari, dies

Lissa, 43-year-old white rhinoceros at Lion Country Safari died last week, the drive-through safari park and walk-through amusement park said Monday.

The rhino was surrounded by her animal care team and its entire vet team, Lion Country Safari posted on Facebook .

Staff members awaiting are awaiting examination results, though they believe she died from an inoperable colic, something that often afflicts her close domestic relative, the horse, Lion Country Safari posted.

"Our team is devastated by the loss, but we are grateful for the nearly 10 additional years we’ve had with her since her initial cancer diagnosis," Lion Country Safari posted on Facebook. "Lissa was in remission and she lived a comfortable life in the herd, something that is important in this gregarious species."

In the wild, southern white rhinoceroses may live to about 35 years; and median life expectancy under human care is about 40 years.

In December 2013, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in her horn.

"In what was perhaps one of our greatest challenges and most rewarding successes in recent memory, her dedicated and passionate team, along with consulting veterinarians and human medical specialists, spent countless hours removing the cancer and restoring her health," Lion Country Safari said.

People can leave condolences for the staff in the comments on Facebook and they will be shared with the team.

"Lissa will be remembered as a friendly, inspiring, and patient rhinoceros and an incredible ambassador for her species," Lion Country Safari said. "She will be sorely missed but her legacy lives on in our fond memories of her and through the lasting impact on rhinoceros care and veterinary treatment from her battle with cancer."

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Lion country safari's white rhino 'lissa' dies at 43.

Photo : CBS 12

A mainstay at Lion Country Safari has lost her life.

The park announced on Monday that Lissa, a 43-year old white rhinoceros, died last week.

She was surrounded by her animal care team and the entire vet team at Lion Country Safari, according to a post on Facebook from the Loxahatchee park.

Staff members are awaiting results from a necropsy, but veterinarians believe she died from a gastrointestinal issue that often afflicts her close domestic relative, a horse.

The post states that while the team is devastated by the loss, they are grateful for the nearly 10 additional years they had with Lissa since she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in her horn back in 2013. Park officials say she had been in remission and living a "comfortable life in the herd."

They point out that the southern white rhinoceros may live to about 35 years in the wild, while median life expectancy under human care is about 40 years.

Lissa is the second animal in captivity to die in recent days, after killer whale Lolita passed away at the Miami Seaquarium on Friday. She was believed to be 57 years old.

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August 28, 2008, lion country safari: irvine, california.

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What it was like

31 comments:.

Lion Country Safari can be seen on the TV show "More Things That Aren't Here Anymore." "A follow-up to the 1997 special recalls bygone Southland landmarks. Included: Hollywood's Brown Derby; Gilmore Stadium, a minor-league field; the steamships of Catalina Island; the original McDonald's restaurant. Host: Ralph Story." This program can be found on KCET.

The Irvine Company recently tore down Wild Rivers and are building a residential community on the site. The road going into the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater off of Irvine Center Dr. is still named Lion Country Safari road.

I forgot this part. The Irvine Company also extended Lake Forest Blvd. over some hills that are adjacent to the old Wild Rivers site. From the road you can easily see the entire area.

A twin engine Beach King Air also plowed into the Amphitheater during the 90s (?) on a final to El Toro.

I have a picture of me sitting on a lion. Not sure of the exact year, but early 70s. We loved that place as kids!!

I remember going to Lion Country Safari when I was a little girl. The ostrich tried to get the door lock on the inside of our vehicle. The other thing I remember is they had a machine that would make you a wax animal right there. It was so cool. Sad to see that it is no longer there. This was in the late 70's. Memories :-)

Wow so sad to have closed it down.We were there back in the 70's it was such a neat place to see.I have alot of pictures i took good thing i did.Im so sorry for the animals that were destroyed.Too bad they couldnt of did something to keep it open.Id really like to go through it again.):

I used to work at Lion Country Safari. Some of the detail left out is- The elephant that escape belong to Gentle Jungle. Who rented space from Lion Country Safari. There was accident involving the tiger from the show. Again the animal belong to Gentle Jungle. I was on duty that day. Here what happen. The show started (please remember this is Gentle Jungle equipment and animals). One Child was running all over the place, his father was to busying to control his child, it is ask parents please control your child at the beginning of each show. The tiger was having a bad day the trainer got him out of the ring somehow the tiger got out the cages and fences. The tiger attack a little boy. Where was his dad? To busy running leaving his child behind but did not forget his beer. I was one on the first one there. I will never forget this. Who gets sued? Lion Country Safari. Why? Lion Country Safari had money! Gentle Jungle didn't. I love working there. I have such great memories of Lion Country Safari

So glad to see your post. I am Dr. Dooley's daughter. I loved going to work with him back then. People are sue-happy and forget that animals are animals and to take care. I hate hearing the backlash. Lion Country was an amazing place!

There is an amazing episode of an old show called Cannon that I think was filmed there. Curious to know how much of it was.

I also worked there way back when as a apprentice to the magician who's name I can't remember. I think his first name was Lee. I can't remember his stage name either. If anyone remembers it please let me know..thanks

If you're going to tell the story tell the truth. These people were our upstairs neighbors and family friends. I KNOW what happened.

use to do the elephant show. One of the elephants is at LA Zoo. Many of the lions went to Shambala which at the time was owned by Teppi Heddren. Great place, good animals and lots of poor management from unknowing and uncaring executives.

I'm always grateful to hear these experiences from others, especially those of you who worked there. I remember the wax lion machine at the entry. I still have a souvenir from the gift shop of a plastic lion in a wooden cage with the LCS sticker on the bottom. I never could understand why this place dwindled on attendance but hearing from some of you, now I know why. They didn't seem to invest much back into the place. So sorry about the animals and the lawsuits. ...and the idiot people. It's hard for me to hear that Michael Crighton based Jurassic Park on the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park when it was obviously much closer to Lion Country Safari.

Hi! I remember going on a school field trip to Lion Country Safari,I loved it and I still have my wax "Doc the Lion"Mold a Roma,I wish I could get information on"Doc the Lion"and I wish I could get a brochure of the park to go with my Doc the Lion.

went there in 1972? when Dad&Mom came out to see me.I was in the Navy.

I took my kids to Wild Rivers in the early 90s. Many great memories. When I visited CA in 1979, we drove through Lion Country Safari and had a great time. In October 1994, the lions were long gone when my fiance and I held our wedding there. We married near the water's edge and had our reception in the circular building nearby that had floor to ceiling windows - as I remember it. It was a beautiful place and I'm sorry that it is no longer around!

I lived in southern California for 11 years from 1980 to 1991. We went to many concerts a at the amphitheater. The last time we went to see Journey we snuck in via lion country safari! I remember going over the fence in a fairly inconspicuous spot and running down a hill to the walkway leading from parking to the amphitheater. Once down the hill we blended in with others walking to the show.

We took our three children there every year for many years we have such great memories great movies we watch them now with our grandchildren our grandchildren wish they could have seen the animals up close and see them as they should be saying you're free It was a great time we always look forward every year to go with my children got to Pat baby lions and they never will forget that so sad that it was not taken care of like it should've been it would be great for the children of today so so sad

I went to the summer camp. My grandmother ran the ropes challenge course there in the 90's. I loved exploring the park and old attractions.

that summer camp was great I attended from like 92-95, that was the highlight of every summer I was sad to see it go. They reopened as camp james in Newport Dunes apparently still highly rated as a summer camp.

I worked at camp Frasier during that time. Was a fun job

I went the summer camp called Camp Fraser about 3 times in the early 1990s ( I think from like 92-95ish) and it was a BLAST. We would go to wild rivers in the morning, and then have the whole lion country safari area as basically a playground with like ATV's and hiking and stuff (I don't really remember any exotic animals being around)

My sister worked there when it first opened in 1970. They had a brood of very young lion cubs to care for 7 days a week, and on weekends my sister would sometimes have to bring a couple of cubs home to bottle-feed and... uh... "wipe" every so often. Hungry little guys!

Mayfair High School Had Our 1977 Prom At Lion Country Safari. It Was So Fun. I Took My Good Friend Lauri Love. She Was The Most Foxy'st Girl There.

Was there in 1974 and love every minute of it. I am sorry to hear that is no longer open. I would like to have gone there again.

Went there only a couple of times, once as a field trip. My uncle helped develop a similar park in Puebla, Mexico, which I think is still open. I remember when Frasier was ill and passed away, I was delivering papers at the time. Every day was an update on the front page. Frasier was supposed to be buried up on the hills above the park. The guides would point it out. I remember also that Frasier was supposed have sired something like 23 cubs while he was at the park. Fond memeries.

I went there in the early 70's with my Aunt when we visited from Mn. I remember getting my photo taken with Gentle Ben, the bear. He stood up and had his paw on my shoulder. Was a great place..I remember my Aunt and her son rode the elephant. Too bad it closed.

I remember going through LCS in the 70s with my family. We were going through when they were feeding the Lions as the man was throwing them the raw meat he noticed dad was filming him. He threw a piece of meat on the hood of our car and when the lioness licked it off it scuffed up our paint because her tongue was so ruff. I will never forget that.

Hi Everyone, I'm a producer for ISH Entertainment, an award winning production studio in New York. We're casting a show for a big time network about LCR and are looking to talk to people with wild experiences from LCR. Please reach out to [email protected]. Thank you! Best, ISH Entertainment NYC

I was one of the first two counselors hired to run Camp Frasier in 1982. Within a few months of operating the camp we added a third counselor. The age range of participants was such that we "deputized" the older campers as junior counselors. We were always looking for activities for the kids to do. We talked the maintenance staff into helping us create fishing poles and the kids caught dozens of huge catfish which were displayed for parents when they came to pick up their children. Apparently, the jungle boat river had never been fished! [email protected]

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