A runaway giraffe named Gracie, who vanished two weeks ago from her enclosure at Cedar Hollow Ranch in Texas, has been found safe and healthy after a helicopter search. The 10ft-tall, 544kg giraffe was spotted from a chopper in an area of Texas Hill Country about four miles south of her home, according to Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson.
Helicopter Search Locates Gracie
Gracie was on the run since she fled her enclosure at the remote Cedar Hollow Ranch, prompting a frantic search by owner Vic Jones, who offered a $5,000 (£3,600) reward for her safe return. The helicopter was deployed after Gracie wandered into difficult terrain inaccessible by car. Sheriff Johnson confirmed that Gracie was found “fat and happy.” Owner Vic Jones stated, “She’s in good shape. She [was] standing there, swishing her tail.”
Gracie’s Condition and Location
Gracie was seen near a pond and a stream with plenty of vegetation, and Jones believes she had been in the area for about a week. She appeared healthy and had access to water. The search area was remote, on private property where no one lives, reducing the likelihood of encounters with people. Jones said, “We didn’t bother her. She’s got water. She looked in really good shape.”
Plans for Safe Return
Vic Jones is assembling a team to bring Gracie back safely. The operation involves sedating her, placing a hood over her eyes, and transporting her in a special giraffe trailer. The Texas Hill Country, known for its mild climate and rugged terrain, hosts one of the largest concentrations of exotic captive animals in the US.
How Gracie Escaped
Gracie escaped by making her way through a rocky area that was not fenced, as other giraffes had not attempted to go there before. Jones explained, “She wound up going up and feeding in an area on the hillside and the rocky ledges that none of the other giraffes had ever gone on before and when she came down off of there, she came down on the wrong side of the gate.” After her return, Gracie will spend time in the ranch’s giraffe enclosure while Jones builds a fence in the area she escaped from.
