A 3-year-old, 1,200-pound giraffe named Gracie has been found after disappearing from a Texas ranch two weeks ago. The giraffe was located by helicopter on Friday morning approximately four miles south of Cedar Hollow Ranch in Leakey, Texas, where she had been living.
Gracie, who stands 10 feet tall, wandered away from her unfenced habitat on June 12. Ranch manager Vick Jones explained that Gracie had only recently moved to the ranch in May and was still adjusting to her surroundings. He believes she inadvertently left the property while feeding in an unfamiliar area, passing through an incorrectly secured gate.
Jones initially posted a missing alert on a local lost and found app, hoping for local sightings. However, the post quickly gained international attention and went viral, with many people creating AI-generated images of Gracie in various humorous scenarios.
"I now know what the word viral means," Jones commented.
Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson confirmed that a veterinarian was contacted after Gracie's discovery, and a team is preparing to transport her back to the ranch. Jones reported that Gracie is in good condition and showed no signs of distress upon being found. He described her as a gentle animal that poses no threat.
Gracie was located on private property near a pond and creek, where she had access to vegetation. To ensure her safe return, she will need to be sedated, fitted with a hood, and transported in specialized trailers.
Texas Hill Country is known for a high concentration of exotic animals, though Sheriff Johnson noted that calls for lost giraffes are uncommon, with previous reports involving animals like monkeys and zebras. Following the incident, Jones plans to install a fence around Gracie's enclosure.