Giraffes are generally not too difficult to spot, what with their notably large size, huge necks, distinctive coloring, and other generally extremely visible giraffe-like qualities.
However, a Texas ranch in Real County has somehow lost a giraffe, leaving both staff and the public baffled. Cedar Hollow Ranch was home to Gracie, a large adult giraffe, until a week and a half ago, when she vanished after feeding on a hillside.
As per the NY Post, Gracie then wandered over to an unfenced area on the other side of an 8-foot-tall gate and escaped into the wild. She was last seen on a game camera west of the small city of Leakey, about 100 miles northeast of San Antonio.
Gracie the giraffe vanishes from Texas ranch and hasn't been seen in nearly 2 weeks, puzzling public https://t.co/Bj4jm4Achg pic.twitter.com/y5QOtipUS5
— New York Post (@nypost) June 24, 2026
A search is now underway, with Gracie’s owner offering a $5,000 reward for her safe return. A “Missing” poster shows Gracie’s appearance and says:
“Missing: a giraffe in Texas? Yes, really. It’s not every day you hear this out of the Texas Hill Country… but a giraffe is missing in Real County”
They add:
“If you’ve seen Gracie – or if she’s somehow towering through your backyard – authorities want to hear from you.”
Yesterday, someone contacted the ranch and sent them photos, resulting in a search of the area where they were taken, but Gracie was nowhere in sight.
A tall tale?
The article quotes confused observers perplexed at how a very distinctive 16-foot-tall mammal could evade capture for so long. The NY Post quotes one person as saying, “Maybe it’s a short giraffe. I’m confused how you lose something that is 12 million feet tall” and another sums it up neatly by saying: “How the hell do you lose a giraffe?”
Gracie’s owners are not giving up until their beloved giraffe is back where she belongs, telling NBC News that they will not rest “until we get her home” and that “Everybody in the whole world seems to be looking for her.”
If you happen to come across Gracie then there’s no call for alarm. Giraffe advocacy group Save Giraffes Now underlines that they’re “calm, gentle creatures”, but note that they can be dangerous when startled. They advise:
“It is safe to observe a giraffe from a distance, but it is not safe to walk up to one. Giraffes are quiet animals, yet they startle easily. A sudden movement or someone getting too close can make them react defensively. Their sheer size alone can make even an accidental movement dangerous, and a quick step or kick can cause serious harm.”
If you are in Texas and you have seen a giraffe or an animal you suspect to be a giraffe, please contact the Real County Sheriff’s Department at 830-232-5050 or Cedar Hollow Ranch at 830-683-3619. They underline that any tips sent their way can be kept anonymous.
Published: Jun 24, 2026 07:59 am