'Wild At Heart' Giraffe Hamley Dead, Killed By Lightning

Cast and crew of the British television drama "Wild At Heart" are mourning the sudden loss of Hamley, a beloved Giraffe described as "playful and charming" who was killed by lightning at a South African reserve where the show is filmed.

The cast and crew did not witness the tragic accident at Glen Afric reserve, BBC reports.

Hamley was six years old, and loved the camera, according to Glen Afric's website.

''We are all desperately upset about the passing of Hamley, who has been part of the 'Wild At Heart' family for five years," said Producer Nick Goding.

Actor Stephen Tompkinson described Hamley as "the most unique of all animals" and actress Dawn Steele said, "He was like another actor... only taller!"

Lightning isn't an entirely uncommon cause of death for Giraffes, as Toronto Sun reports similar incidents happening at South African reserves in 1996 and 1997, and more recently a Giraffe was killed by lightning at a Disney park in 2003, Buzzle.com reports.