Zoofari de Roer said in a Facebook post that the team was “devastated” by the loss of their “beloved giraffe” named Waffles and their new companion who had yet to be identified.
“Waffles were a favorite of our visitors and our team. We are heartbroken,” said owner Vanessa Roer in a statement on the zoo’s website. “We are very grateful that no person or other Zoofari animal was injured or lost. And we deeply appreciate the firefighters who came so quickly to help put out the fire.”
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said in a Facebook post that the two giraffes were found dead after the fire at Vienna’s Hunter Mill Road zoo was controlled. No other animals were injured, the department said.
The owner of Zoofari received a call at around 5:30 pm informing that the barn was on fire, according to the zoo’s post. The zoo’s website said the fire occurred after the zoo closed.
Zoo staff and the vet arrived at the scene to help rescue and care for 20 other animals.
“Mourning counselors are being made available to the team, which is devastated by this tragedy and who cared deeply for these members of the Zoofari family,” said the zoo on Facebook.
The Roer Zoofari will be closed until Friday, according to its website.