A giraffe that went missing two weeks ago has been found after a search involving helicopters. The 10-foot-tall giraffe, named Gracie, escaped from her enclosure at Cedar Hollow Ranch in Texas, leading to a frantic search by owner Vic Jones, who offered a reward for her safe return.

After an extensive search in the remote area, Gracie was located looking healthy and content, spotted from a helicopter by Real County Sheriff Nathan Johnson. She was found four miles south of her enclosure in Texas Hill Country, near a pond and a stream, with abundant vegetation for food.

Gracie, a three-year-old giraffe weighing over 1,200 pounds, seemed to be in good shape as she stood swishing her tail. Vic mentioned that she had been in the area for about a week and is now planning a team to bring her back safely to the ranch.

The operation to bring Gracie back will involve sedating her, covering her eyes with a hood, and transporting her in a specialized giraffe trailer. The search was escalated to helicopters as Gracie had moved into terrain inaccessible by car, eventually being found in a remote area on private property.

Vic expressed relief at finding Gracie unharmed and well-fed in the remote location. Despite efforts to involve local residents in the search, the area’s remoteness made encounters with people unlikely. Gracie will be kept in the ranch’s giraffe enclosure temporarily while Vic secures the area she escaped from with a new fence.

The incident highlighted the challenges of managing exotic animals in the Texas Hill Country, known for its rugged terrain and a significant population of captive exotic animals. Gracie’s escape route through an unfenced rocky area, unexplored by other giraffes, led to her adventure and subsequent safe discovery.