10 MAY 2003, Page 30

Kicking killers

From Mr David C. Taylor, FRCVS Sir: The giraffe mentioned by Paul Johnson (And another thing, 3 May) which walked the 550 miles from Marseilles to Paris in 1826 was actually a female named Zarafa. Nowadays she can be seen, stuffed, on the staircase of a museum in La Rochelle.

Johnson asserts that giraffes have virtually no weapons. Untrue. These animals can deliver powerful, sometimes deadly, blows with their fore and hind hooves in a range of directions and with great reach. David C. Taylor International Zoo Veterinary Group, Keighley, West Yorkshire If you would like to email letters for publication, please send them to ktters@spectator.co.uk, including your postal address and telephone number.