Two baby giraffes found safe after vanishing from a Virginia zoo a year ago
Yahoo News Canada • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Two baby giraffes missing since 2025 from Virginia's Natural Bridge Zoo have been found safe and are now receiving medical and behavioral care at a professional giraffe facility.
- The giraffes disappeared amid a state investigation into alleged animal abuse at the zoo, which resulted in the seizure of about 100 animals and the discovery of 28 dead animals living in poor conditions.
- The zoo failed to report the births of the giraffe calves despite a court order, leading to a widespread search including a $50,000 reward offered by actress Alicia Silverstone.
- Co-owners of the zoo, including Gretchen Mogensen who served jail time for refusing to disclose information about the giraffes, face multiple misdemeanor animal cruelty charges alongside forgery allegations against some staff.
- The Office of the Attorney General of Virginia emphasized ongoing criminal investigations and commitment to public safety, withholding further details about the giraffes' recovery.
