One of Pembrokeshire's top attractions is mourning the loss of two of its tallest residents.

Staff at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, Begelly, have been 'devastated' by the deaths of two members of their giraffe family.

Half-brothers JaJa and Kharma died unexpectedly at the park within two weeks of each other.

Post mortems carried out by veterinary experts showed they both died of natural causes.

Three-year-old JaJa, and Kharma, five, arrived at Folly Farm from Marwell Zoological Park in Winchester in March.

Together with Taharqa, Rafiki and Zulu, they were known as the 'famous five' and were possibly the largest collection of male giraffes anywhere in Britain.

A £1million investment had been made by Folly Farm in the acquisition of the giraffes - all hybrid Rothschild males, who had been grouped together as part of a European programme to prevent cross-breeding.

'The boys' were the first to go on show in Wales and their lofty presence proved popular with visitors throughout the summer.  

Chris Ebsworth, managing director of Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, said: "We are all very shocked and saddened by the sudden deaths of JaJa and Kharma.

"Since their arrival, the giraffes have been extremely popular with visitors and they will be sadly missed.

"The post mortems showed they both died of natural causes and there was nothing anyone could have done. Both giraffes were very fit, eating well and interacting together, so their deaths were really, really sad, especially for the keepers, who had bonded a strong relationship."

Chris continued: "Both deaths were a massive blow. Even after we lost JaJa, we didn't expect Kharma to pass away. It was so unexpected too.

"It is not until something like this happens that you realise what a dynamic relationship the giraffes had formed with their keepers and it really pulls on the heart strings when you see it broken."

Folly Farm have been in contact with both Marwell Zoological Park and the European Stud Bookkeeper for Giraffes who had passed on his condolences. He is now actively looking to locate more giraffes for Folly Farm so they can expand their giraffe family for next season.