Giraffe on the Run: Texas Search Enters Third Week

The search for Gracie, a 4-year-old giraffe missing in Texas, has now surpassed two weeks as of June 25, 2026. Gracie escaped Cedar Hollow Ranch in Real County by scaling a difficult, rocky area to get beyond the property's fence. Her owner has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.

The Texas landscape where Gracie is wandering is described as extremely rural, with dense foliage and rough terrain, making her difficult to locate. While Gracie has been sighted on cameras in the vicinity, her exact whereabouts remain unknown. Officials are confident she is still within the county or a neighboring one.

Despite concerns for her safety in the rugged environment, Gracie is believed to be surviving well. There is abundant foliage for her to graze on, and recent rainfall has provided water sources. Her owner is optimistic about her survival, noting that predators like mountain lions are rare in the area and Gracie could defend herself against coyotes.

Gracie was recently purchased in May to join another giraffe named Atlas at Cedar Hollow Ranch, which has a long history of housing giraffes. Her escape was unusual, as giraffes typically cannot navigate the rocky terrain she used to flee. Plans are underway to secure the area she used to exit the ranch.

In related news, the sheriff's office recently found a loose Brahman bull in the same area, which is not uncommon given the numerous landowners with agricultural and exotic animals. The sheriff's office has previously dealt with escapes of various exotic animals over the years.