Two young giraffes have vanished from a struggling roadside zoo, and this disappearance has sparked intrigue in a Virginia town, led to the arrest of their caretaker, and even caught the attention of actress Alicia Silverstone. In response, a reward of $50,000 is being offered for any information that might help locate them.
Silverstone recently announced her collaboration with PETA in this effort, highlighting the case of a calf that went missing from Natural Bridge Zoo about seven months ago. This calf is thought to have been separated from its mother at a very early age, which raises concerns about its wellbeing.
“Separating a baby from its distressed mother is heartbreaking for both, no matter the species,” Silverstone stated. “These little ones need specialized care, and every day matters in bringing them back, so we really hope anyone who knows anything will step forward now.”
This announcement followed the refusal of the zoo’s co-owner, Gretchen Mogensen, to disclose the fate of the missing giraffe, even when compelled to do so in court.
Mogensen is currently serving a 100-day prison sentence for her non-compliance with a court order to explain the situation regarding the missing giraffe or to hand it over to authorities. Reports indicate that during a hearing, prosecutors claimed that Mogensen was accountable for the giraffe, whether it was still in the zoo or not.
Her attorney mentioned the ongoing investigation and argued that he couldn’t mount a defense without incriminating Mogensen. Ultimately, the judge gave the zoo’s caretakers five weeks to either reveal the giraffe’s location or return it to the appropriate authorities.
That deadline expired on October 29, the same day Mogensen surrendered herself to start her prison term.
As it stands, the calf remains unaccounted for. This situation at Natural Bridge Zoo first came to light in December 2023, when officials seized over 100 animals from the facility due to animal abuse allegations.
Unfortunately, 28 of those animals were discovered dead or were euthanized due to their conditions. Although four live giraffes were among those seized, they stayed at the zoo as transporting them was complicated.
Authorities have continued to inspect the zoo regularly to ensure that the remaining animals, which total 39, are receiving appropriate care.
It’s important to note that two female giraffes had given birth by April 2025, but upon inspection that same month, investigators found no newborns present.
Now, seven months later, there’s still no sign of the missing calf, and the story continues to attract national attention from animal rights advocates, including Silverstone.
Generally, baby giraffes rely on their mother’s milk for the first 9 to 12 months. By around four months, they start to nibble on small vegetation, like leaves.
