Ongoing search in Real County
Cedar Hollow Ranch officials and Real County authorities continued the search for Gracie a 3–4-year-old reticulated giraffe reported missing since mid-June, in the Texas Hill Country west of Leakey. The giraffe, known for distinctive rounded ears, was last captured on a game camera in remote brushland, and a subsequent tip placed her farther from the ranch, though that sighting could not be confirmed. The ranch is located roughly 100 miles northwest of San Antonio and teams have focused on rugged terrain where human encounters are unlikely. Last update: June 26, 2026.
The search matters because the surrounding area is expansive and unfenced in places, increasing the difficulty of locating a tall but elusive animal in dense Hill Country vegetation. Officials widened the search radius after early leads did not produce a recovery, and coordination now includes local residents, organized rescue groups, and county alerts. The Real County Sheriff’s Office urged people in and around Leakey to watch for signs of movement, while ranch staff monitor potential travel corridors where a giraffe might seek food and water.
Statewide alerts and community response
The giraffe’s owner has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to her safe capture and return, drawing attention well beyond Real County. Animal rescue teams in the area have joined patrols near the last verified camera images west of Leakey, and the search area extends several miles from Cedar Hollow Ranch. Agencies and organizations across Texas engaged the public through playful social posts that boosted visibility of the missing-animal alert, turning a local search into a wider conversation and surfacing additional tips.
While the online reaction included humor, officials maintained an operational focus on field verification and careful approach methods suitable for a shy, free-roaming reticulated giraffe. The community response has increased the volume of reports, but crews emphasized that many sightings occur after dark or in difficult conditions, requiring caution and confirmation. The sheriff’s alert remains active, and the ranch continues to coordinate with responders about likely routes and safe capture protocols.
Timeline and latest leads
Gracie arrived at Cedar Hollow Ranch in May and has been known to roam more freely than other giraffes on the property. Ranch manager Vick Jones said she was last seen feeding on a hillside seldom used by the other giraffes. She then moved beyond an 8-foot-tall gate into an unfenced area and left the ranch boundary. Jones searched about four miles from the ranch after a tip, but the shared images were several days old and did not lead to her location. A possible night sighting placed her farther away, but it remained unconfirmed.
Real County animal rescue teams reported the last confirmed activity west of Leakey based on camera imagery, refining patrols around water sources and browse-rich stands where a giraffe might linger. The remote topography—steep draws, thick cedar, and limited road access—has constrained search speed and coverage. Authorities indicated the likelihood of Gracie encountering humans is low, reinforcing reliance on cameras, tracks, and targeted sweeps.
Ranch background and prior escapes
Cedar Hollow Ranch houses several hundred exotic animals, including impalasNubian ibexes and antelopes, across large enclosures and open rangeland. Jones noted that several young giraffes previously managed to bolt but returned to a barn during a storm, underscoring the unpredictability of juvenile movements. The ranch’s operations continue while the search is prioritized, with staff maintaining feed sites and monitoring fences and gates to prevent further departures. Officials said efforts will not stop until Gracie is found and safely recovered.