A young South African mother’s life was forever changed after a giraffe charged her family in Kuleni Game Park in October 2022, resulting in the heartbreaking death of one of her children.
Nicole Panos, 25, had been enjoying a morning walk with her two young children — four-year-old Kayden and one-year-old Kaia — when the incident occurred. According to Nicole, the giraffe, which she believes was protecting its young, ran toward them at high speed. With no chance to outrun the animal, Nicole instinctively tried to shield her children.
“I had Kaia in my arms, and she couldn’t run away. I screamed at Kayden to run,” Nicole told The Sun. “I felt a thump on my back and blacked out. When I woke, I was trying to keep my body on top of Kaia to keep her safe.”
Despite her efforts, the attack claimed the life of baby Kaia. Nicole later learned the devastating news while in hospital, where she also received treatment for severe injuries, including paralysis from the waist down, fractured ribs, and internal organ damage. Kayden survived but suffered skull fractures.
Nicole spent 23 days in hospital, including 16 days in intensive care, followed by months of rehabilitation. A GoFundMe page created by her sister raised nearly $35,000 to cover their medical expenses.
In a heartfelt statement shared this April via her Live Like Kaia Facebook page, Nicole reflected on her ongoing recovery and grief. She wrote, “Life doesn’t stop living when your world stops spinning… the only real choice left is to collect the pieces we have left and keep moving.”
Nicole described moments of healing as small acts of love and support from her family: her grandparents checking in, her sister rearranging work to be with her, and the simple joys of her son’s playful resilience.
Through unimaginable loss and physical recovery, Nicole Panos continues to honor her daughter’s memory while nurturing her surviving son, determined to rebuild her life in the aftermath of tragedy.
