local
Runaway Texas giraffe Gracie spotted from helicopter after nearly two weeks on the loose, sheriff says
By Steven Rosenbaum at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
After nearly two weeks of wandering the Texas Hill Country, Gracie the giraffe has been found. The 3-year-old giraffe was spotted from a helicopter Friday morning, about four miles south of the ranch where she lives.Vick Jones, the manager of Cedar Hollow Ranch, "has contacted his veterinarian an...
Key takeaway Vick Jones, the manager of Cedar Hollow Ranch, "has contacted his veterinarian and is putting a team together to safely capture Gracie and bring her home," the Real County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The saga of Gracie the giraffe's escape has drawn attention to the presence of exotic animals in rural Texas areas like Real County. While Southlake residents may not have direct experience with loose giraffes, the story raises questions about the regulation and management of private wildlife preserves in the broader region. As the Dallas-Fort Worth area continues to grow and develop, the intersection of urban and rural spaces can lead to unique challenges, including the potential for escaped animals to wander into more populated areas. The fact that Sheriff Nathan Johnson has experience tracking missing exotic animals suggests that this is not an isolated issue, and it may be worth exploring how local authorities and animal owners can work together to prevent and respond to such incidents in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After nearly two weeks of wandering the Texas Hill Country, Gracie the giraffe has been found. The 3-year-old giraffe was spotted from a helicopter Friday morning, about four miles south of the ranch where she lives.Vick Jones, the manager of Cedar Hollow Ranch, "has contacted his veterinarian an...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Steven Rosenbaum at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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