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Missing Giraffe Calves: Star Offers $50K Reward
27 Nov
Summary
- Two baby giraffes are missing from a Virginia zoo.
- Actress Alicia Silverstone offers a $50,000 reward.
- Zoo manager jailed for refusing to reveal calves' location.
Two baby giraffes have disappeared from Virginia's Natural Bridge Zoo, sparking a nationwide search. Actress Alicia Silverstone has partnered with PETA, offering a substantial $50,000 reward for information leading to the calves' recovery. The disappearance has intensified scrutiny on the zoo, which has a documented history of animal welfare violations.
Compounding the mystery, the zoo's facilities manager, Gretchen Mogensen, is currently serving a 100-day jail sentence. She was incarcerated for refusing to reveal the location of the missing giraffe calves, an act deemed 'disobeying judgment' by the court. This legal battle follows a government seizure of over 100 animals from the facility in December 2023.
Investigations uncovered horrific conditions at the Natural Bridge Zoo, including animals kept in filth and denied veterinary care, with numerous animal remains discovered. The missing calves were born after the government took custody of other animals, but their whereabouts remain unknown, leaving animal welfare advocates deeply concerned about their specialized care needs.
