Second Giraffe Dies In NJ Zoo Fire

BORDENTOWN, N.J. - A fire has killed a mother giraffe, its 3-week-old calf and a collection of exotic birds at a New Jersey zoo where the owner's wife died in a fire months ago.

Animal Kingdom Zoo owner Burton Sipp says three dogs and four cats also perished in Sunday night's fire.

It's the second fire to strike the private zoo in central New Jersey's Springfield Township this year. Bridget Sipp was killed in April when a fire burned the couple's log cabin on the property. No animals were hurt then.

Burton Sipp says he flew home from Phoenix early Monday after hearing about this weekend's fire. He says the zoo's seven remaining giraffes are being moved to the Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park for now. He says he hopes to rebuild.

The first 9-1-1 call for the fire came in at 8:43 p.m. Sunday at the petting zoo and pet shop business on Jacksonville-Jobstown Road.

The second story of the two-story building collapsed because of heavy fire, but fire officials say most of the animals got out.

Veterinarians and emergency personnel were on hand to help give the animals medical care.

Some animals were taken to the local SPCA, while the larger animals were released into the outdoor fields until further housing arrangements could be made.

New Jersey State Police and the fire marshal will be on scene later Monday to determine the cause.

The fire broke out less than an hour after a "Trick or Treat Night at the Zoo" was held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the zoo, for which a sign still indicates those who attended with costumes were given a $2 admission discount.