Deputies: Employee injured while working in Michigan giraffe enclosure

COURTLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Deputies say a Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park employee was severely injured while working in the giraffe enclosure.

It happened April 19 just before 3:50 p.m. at the adventure park and drive-thru safari, located near Cedar Springs, according to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.

When deputies arrived, they were told that a 27-year-old employee had been working on a ladder in the giraffe enclosure. Deputies say the giraffe hit the ladder, which caused the employee to fall.

The employee was hospitalized with severe injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deer Tracks Junction on April 22 asked the community for prayer in a Facebook post , describing the employee as “a son, father, husband, and a critical component to this business.”

As of April 22, he was in critical condition with a traumatic brain injury in the intensive care unit, according to the adventure park.

“We are living in a world of unknowns, and we are reaching out to you all for prayer,” Deer Tracks Junction wrote. “…There are no words to describe how we feel and how grateful we are for this supportive community.”

News 8 has reached out to Deer Tracks Junction for further comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.