Two baby giraffes that vanished from the Natural Bridge Zoo more than a year ago have finally been tracked down alive and are now getting specialized medical and behavioral care. Their discovery ends a months-long search that began after state agents seized dozens of animals during an abuse investigation. Officials say the calves were moved to a facility equipped to handle giraffes while criminal cases against the zoo’s operators play out in court.
Attorney General’s Office Tracks Down Calves
Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General said a combination of legal action and an extensive investigation led to the calves’ recovery, and that they are now receiving medical and behavioral support at a facility that specializes in giraffe care, according to WSLS. With criminal proceedings still pending, officials are not saying where the animals were found or how they were moved. The attorney general’s office thanked members of the public who shared tips and urged anyone with information about the animals’ movement to call 804-786-2071.
Where They Are Now
The two juveniles were transferred to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison, Georgia. The park told The Washington Post it welcomed "two juvenile reticulated giraffes" and that they are acclimating well. The park already houses the trio of adult giraffes previously moved from Natural Bridge, creating a partial reunion for the herd.
What The Records Show
Court documents show state agents executed a search warrant at Natural Bridge Zoo in December 2023 and impounded 99 animals as part of a civil forfeiture action. A jury later found that 71 animals had been cruelly treated, according to a published court opinion reviewed by Courthouse News. That initial seizure kicked off a lengthy legal battle over who would control the zoo’s collection and what would happen to the animals that remained on the property.
Charges And Evidence
Prosecutors have charged four co-owners, Deborah Mogensen, Gretchen Mogensen, Karl Mogensen and Mark Easley, with a combined 55 misdemeanor animal cruelty counts. Deborah and Gretchen, along with the facility’s attending veterinarian, have also been charged with forging public records, according to The Independent. Reporting also states that investigators uncovered 28 dead animals on the property and that one co-owner briefly served jail time after refusing a court order to reveal the calves’ whereabouts.
Legal Implications
Virginia’s animal-seizure statute gives courts broad authority to remove animals alleged to be cruelly treated, and the appellate opinion outlines how Code § 3.2-6569 applies in these cases, according to the court documents. Investigators are still working to understand how the calves were moved and whether additional charges might follow as the criminal probe continues, The Washington Post reported.
For now the young giraffes are under veterinary care and out of public view while prosecutors continue to build their case. Authorities ask anyone with information about the animals’ unauthorized movement to call the Attorney General’s tip line at 804-786-2071, according to WSLS.
