Texas Hill Country Giraffe Found Safe, 'Fat and Happy' After Two-Week Search

Gracie, a 3 or 4-year-old female Reticulated Giraffe, was found safe and sound on a neighboring property in Texas Hill Country after a two-week search. The giraffe went missing from the Cedar Hollow Ranch, a private ranch located just northwest of San Antonio, Texas. According to Vick Jones, the property's manager, Gracie was part of a pair of giraffes at the ranch. She was born at the ranch, and Jones described her as 'very docile and social with our staff.'

The search for Gracie began on September 22, after she was seen on a game camera, which is a trail camera used for surveillance, west of Leakey, roughly 100 miles northwest of San Antonio. Since then, the Real County Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and local animal control agencies have been involved in the search. The authorities conducted aerial searches, but unfortunately, no visual sightings of Gracie were reported. The search area covered over 1,000 square miles, and officials were concerned that the giraffe may have wandered into neighboring states.

In the two-week search, Gracie's owner offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to her safe return. Vick Jones and the Texas Department of Public Safety also conducted an aerial search with the help of an aviation company. According to Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson, 'Mr. Jones has contacted his veterinarian and is putting a team together to safely capture Gracie and bring her home.'

On October 6, at around 10 am, Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson reported that Gracie was found on a neighboring property, which is about four miles south of the Cedar Hollow Ranch. According to Sheriff Johnson, 'Gracie was spotted by one of her owners from a helicopter, and when they went to pick her up, she appeared to be happy, eating leaves and seemed to be healthy.'

Gracie's capture was described as a 'very smooth operation,' thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement officials. The 3 or 4-year-old giraffe is expected to be safely returned to the Cedar Hollow Ranch. While there are no official statements regarding Gracie's health at this time, according to Sheriff Johnson, 'Gracie is fat and happy, and we are going to ensure that she gets back to her normal habitat as soon as possible.'

The search for Gracie was a collaborative effort by multiple agencies, which ensured her safe return. The Cedar Hollow Ranch, where Gracie was found, is a family-owned ranch that focuses on animal conservation and education. The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Real County Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude to all the agencies involved in the search.

The search for Gracie serves as a reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and education. Reticulated giraffes, like Gracie, are endangered animals that inhabit various regions, and efforts should be made to preserve and protect their habitats. The Texas Hill Country is known for its vast open spaces and wildlife sanctuaries. There are still several endangered species and animals roaming freely in this region, which highlights the need for continued conservation efforts.