Gracie the giraffe, had eluded helicopters, infrared cameras, tracking dogs and drones sweeping the area of Texas Hill Country for nearly two weeks.
This morning, Gracie was found safe and healthy. She was spotted by a helicopter on a neighboring property about four miles from her home at Cedar Hollow Ranch near Leakey, Texas.
The four-year-old reticulated giraffe escaped from the Cedar Hollow Ranch near Leakey, Texas on June 12, 2026. Crews had been extensively searching a massive 7,500 acre radius in the heavily wooded area. In the meantime, every detection device, including helicopters, cameras, drones and even tracking dogs were being deployed.
Where are you Gracie?
Early Friday morning, the ranch manager, Vick Jones and a local helicopter pilot spotted the runaway giraffe while checking out the area on an early aerial search mission. And according to reports by the Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson, Gracie had access to lots of food and water on the ranch where she was found looking fat and healthy.
A veterinary team has been assembled to tranquilize and safely transport her back to the ranch where she will rejoin the other resident giraffe.
Welcome home Gracie.
