These adorable animals are unlikely to become friends. Check out the video of their friendship.
The difference in height between zebras and giraffes is not the only thing that has become a hot topic of conversation. The unlikely duo became best friends at a Georgia theme park.
The search for Gracie the missing giraffe in Texas reached a two-week record on June 25 as ranchers continued to search the rugged terrain from the ground and air.
The giraffe, which is said to have distinctive rounded ears, escaped from Cedar Hollow Ranch in Real County, Texas, after climbing up a rock and out of the property’s hunting fence, Sheriff Nathan Johnson and ranch manager Vic Jones told USA TODAY.
Her owners are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to her safe capture and return, according to the Real County Sheriff’s Office.
Why are giraffes so hard to find in Texas?
The region of Texas where Gracie wanders is very rural, with many private ranches and lush, rugged terrain. It’s not like in the city, where you can easily spot Gracie walking down the sidewalk.
Since her disappearance, Gracie has been seen on cameras at other facilities in the area, but her exact whereabouts are still unknown, Johnson said. The sheriff believes Gracie is still in the county or a neighboring county.
Jones told USA TODAY on June 25: “We currently have a rough idea of the area. Tomorrow we will expand the search area.”
How did Gracie survive on her own for two weeks?
The Real County Sheriff previously told USA TODAY there were concerns for Gracie’s safety due to the rugged terrain, but said he was optimistic Jones would be okay. Although there are occasional mountain lion sightings in the Texas Hill Country, Jones said he’s not too concerned about Gracie’s safety because mountain lions are relatively rare. As for Coyote, “she can keep kicking him until next week,” Jones said.
While living at Cedar Hollow Ranch, Gracie enjoys its foliage, alfalfa, 16 percent protein forage, carrots, apples and sweet potatoes, Jones said. He said he wouldn’t have to worry about food while on the run. There are plenty of leaves for her to graze on, and recent rains have provided water, he said.
What is Gracie the Giraffe doing in Texas?
Gracie is about 4 years old, but she is not yet fully grown. The giraffe was purchased by the ranch owner in May to join another older giraffe, Atlas, who was already on the ranch.
Jones said the farm has had giraffes for about 30 years, but Gracie’s behavior was surprising. He said it is the only giraffe to have set foot on the solid rock slab where she escaped. Giraffes are usually unable to maneuver it. Jones said she has already contacted fencing companies to secure areas that previously did not require fencing.
“She’s quite an athlete for a giraffe,” Jones said.
Jones said she is contacting various property owners in the area where Gracie may live, asking for permission to search their properties. He conducted the search on the ground, but said going up in a hired helicopter would give better visibility of some terrain.
What did Gracie find in her search? First, it’s a free-range bull.
Meanwhile, Johnson said the sheriff’s office found a Brahman bull in the Reagan Wells area and is looking for an owner to return it.
Johnson said it’s not that unusual to come across a roaming bull in Real County. There are many landowners in this area who own farmland, and it is not uncommon for them to keep rare animals. Cedar Hollow Ranch is home to “hundreds” of animals, including giraffes, multiple species of antelope, ibex and deer, Jones said.
During his career, Johnson said he has worked with lost buffalo, chimpanzees and other types of monkeys.
“Over the years, all kinds of exotic species have escaped and escaped from their owners’ camps,” Johnson said. “In my 30 years as a judicial officer, this is the first time a giraffe has escaped.”
