A giraffe that captured national attention after disappearing from a Texas ranch has finally been found safe and healthy after spending nearly two weeks roaming the countryside on her own.
The four-year-old giraffe, named Gracie, was discovered roughly four miles from her home at Cedar Hollow Ranch near Leakey, Texas, following an extensive search effort involving ranch staff, local authorities, and aerial search teams.
Gracie vanished earlier this month after wandering through an open gate while exploring a rocky section of the property that other giraffes rarely visited. The rugged terrain and dense brush of the Texas Hill Country made the search especially difficult despite the animal’s enormous size.
The breakthrough came after ranch owner Vick Jones teamed up with aviation crews to conduct aerial searches of the surrounding countryside. The effort paid off when Gracie was spotted standing in a remote area several miles from the ranch.
Officials said the adventurous giraffe appeared to be in excellent condition despite spending nearly two weeks on her own in unfamiliar territory. Authorities described her as “fat and happy” after surviving on nearby vegetation and water sources throughout her journey.
The next challenge will be safely bringing Gracie home. Veterinarians and wildlife specialists are assembling a team to sedate the towering animal and transport her back to the ranch using specialized equipment designed for giraffes.
Gracie’s disappearance quickly became a viral sensation, with many people joking online about how an animal standing more than ten feet tall could seemingly vanish without a trace in rural Texas.
The ranch had previously offered a reward for information leading to her safe return and worked closely with local law enforcement throughout the search effort. Authorities noted that while other exotic animals had escaped in the area before, this marked the first missing giraffe case they had ever encountered.
While the search may be over, ranch officials say they plan to improve fencing and security measures around the property to prevent another great giraffe escape in the future. For now, Gracie’s unexpected adventure appears to be coming to a happy ending.
The post Escaped Giraffe Found Safe Miles From Texas Enclosure After Two-Week Adventure appeared first on Real News Now.
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