Rogue Giraffe Found Wandering in Texas (Video)

A runaway giraffe who vanished into the rugged Texas Hill Country has finally been found alive and well — ending a two-week mystery that had locals watching, worrying and wondering where the towering escape artist had gone.

Gracie, a young giraffe from Cedar Hollow Ranch in Real County, disappeared after wandering away from her enclosure and heading into the hills in search of her favorite leafy snacks. The ranch, which is home to several hundred exotic animals, sits about 90 miles northwest of San Antonio.

For two weeks, the 3- to 4-year-old giraffe was nowhere to be seen.

Then, early Friday morning, searchers finally spotted her during an aerial search. Gracie was found around 6:45 a.m. on a neighboring property about four miles south of the ranch.

Real County Sheriff Nathan T. Johnson announced the good news with a line that instantly summed up the relief of the bizarre search.

“We found her, she’s fat and happy,” Johnson said.

According to the sheriff, Gracie had been living the good life while she was missing. She was found near a water source with plenty of vegetation nearby, apparently helping herself to the Hill Country buffet.

Her owner, Vick Jones, said Gracie first arrived at the Texas ranch in May. She had been grazing in an area that was not fenced when she crested a hill, ended up on the other side and simply kept going.

What began as a frightening disappearance turned into an unforgettable local saga — and, thankfully, one with a happy ending.

After two weeks on her own, Gracie is safe, healthy and back in the spotlight as the giraffe who gave Real County a wild Texas-sized mystery.