Two missing Virginia giraffes found safe after zoo investigation

Two baby giraffes that vanished from the Natural Bridge Zoo in Virginia in 2025 were located safe during an extensive investigation and have been placed in a professional facility for medical and behavioral care. The Natural Bridge Zoo has a history of legal trouble, including a 2023 animal-cruelty probe that led to seizures of nearly 100 animals and the arrest of co-owner Gretchen Mogensen. Births occurred around April 2025 but the newborns disappeared, prompting further scrutiny. A reward offered by Alicia Silverstone is noted in the report, and Virginia prosecutors emphasize accountability and public safety in resolving the case.