Texas giraffe missing for two weeks located near private ranch
A three-year-old giraffe that escaped from a remote Texas ranch was found about four miles south of its enclosure after a helicopter search, and plans are under way to return it to the property.
A three-year-old, 1,200-pound giraffe that wandered off a private ranch in the Texas Hill Country was located Friday about four miles (6.4 km) south of its enclosure during an aerial search, Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson said. The animal was found on private land near a pond and creek, where it had access to vegetation and water, according to the owner, Vick Jones.
Jones said the giraffe, identified as Gracie, appeared to be in good condition and had likely been in the area for roughly a week. Veterinarians were called to sedate the animal, blindfold it, and prepare it for transport in an open-pasture trailer that will be transferred to a taller, enclosed trailer designed for giraffes for the 100-mile (160 km) journey back to Cedar Hollow Ranch, west of San Antonio.
The remote terrain, which is not reachable by vehicle, required a helicopter to locate the animal. Residents of Real County were asked to report sightings, and the search concluded on private property where no one resides. Jones noted that the giraffe was not fenced in the rocky feeding area because it had not previously accessed that part of the ranch; he plans to install a fence now and keep the animal in its enclosure until construction is complete.
"She’s in good shape," Jones said. "If you move toward her, she’s taking off."
Sheriff Johnson added that while the region has reported other missing exotic animals such as wildebeests, water buffalo, zebras and monkeys, this is the first known case of a missing giraffe in the county.