Alicia Silverstone offers $50,000 reward for missing baby giraffes born in scandal-hit zoo
The whereabouts of two baby giraffes remain unknown after a zoo owner withheld their location and was jailed for contempt.
'Clueless' actor Alicia Silverstone is supporting a $50,000 reward to find two baby giraffes who have been missing from a zoo for months.
The calves are legally considered the property of Rockbridge County, Virginia, who took ownership from the Natural Bridge Zoo last year, following charges of animal cruelty.
While many other animals were taken away from the roadside zoo, four giraffes remained on site, as they were too tall to transport. Two of the giraffes later fell pregnant, which further complicated matters. Instead, a judge instructed the zoo to care for the giraffes, and to inform the county as soon as the calves were born.
The county carried out regular, unannounced checks on the giraffes, but, on a visit to the zoo in April of this year, inspectors learned that the giraffes had given birth, with their babies nowhere to be seen.
In October, the zoo’s manager, Gretchen Mogensen, was sent to prison, after refusing a court order to disclose what happened to the calves.
“Tearing babies away from their distraught mothers is devastating for both, no matter what species they are,” Silverstone told People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who is helping to publicize the reward. “These missing babies need specialized care, and every day counts in finding them, so I hope someone with information about their whereabouts will come forward now.”
According to PETA, “giraffe calves typically nurse for up to a year or longer, and remain closely bonded with their mothers well beyond weaning, relying on them for protection and vital early-life learning within their family herd.”
The Natural Bridge Zoo has previously sold baby giraffes that are as young as two weeks old, and others no older than two months.
This is the latest development in a long-running series of controversies involving the privately-owned zoo.
In October 2023, an undercover agent at the zoo documented instances of animal abuse. On December 6, the attorney general’s animal law unit executed a warrant, seizing 96 animals on the grounds of animal cruelty and neglect. An alligator, llama, and lemur were among 29 dead animals removed, along with the heads, skins, legs, and other body parts of giraffes.
After a week-long trial in March 2024, a Rockbridge County jury concluded that investigators were justified in removing 71 of the animals, including the four giraffes, and that these should remain county property.
The male giraffe, Jeffrey, was moved to Georgia Safari Park, Madison, in October 2024. However, this transfer was not without incident. According to the attorney general’s office, Karl Mogensen had threatened to shoot the transporters and veterinarians involved, while Karl’s daughter, Gretchen, encouraged followers to post untrue statements online about Georgia Safari Park. A judge found both Karl and Gretchen Mogensen guilty of contempt of court.
The three remaining giraffes were transferred from the zoo in May of this year, shortly after the calves had been reported missing. One of the giraffes, Valentine, died en route to Georgia.
Gretchen Mogensen is currently serving 100 days in jail, for not revealing the calves’ location. A new criminal investigation into the zoo is underway, which will focus on the missing calves, and consider the circumstances surrounding Valentine’s death.
What can you do?
Anyone with information should contact the Virginia Office of the Attorney General’s Animal Law Unit at 804-786-2071.
We Have A Favor To Ask…
Species Unite amplifies well-researched solutions to some of the most abusive animal industries operating today.
At this crucial moment, with worldwide momentum for change building, it’s vital we share these animal-free solutions with the world - and we need your help.
We’re a nonprofit, and so to keep sharing these solutions, we’re relying on you - with your support, we can continue our essential work in growing a powerful community of animal advocates this year.
