A battle is being waged over the seizure of multiple animals at the Natural Bridge Zoo, but most notably, a giraffe named Valentine that died during her transport to a conservation park in Georgia.
The seizures stemmed from an animal cruelty case that was heard in Rockbridge County Circuit Court, where four giraffes – Wrinkles, Valentine, Jeffrey and Little Girl – were among 71 animals that were granted to Rockbridge County after a six-day jury trial.
In addition to the four giraffes, Rockbridge County was granted custody of 17 capuchins, 14 tortoises, three pythons, one skink, one mini donkey, 14 macaws, one gibbon, six cotton-topped tamarins, three ground hornbills, six turtles and one dog.
Despite the loss in court, the zoo re-opened to the public under new management.
Seven months after the jury verdict, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares put out a statement saying a court order was now requiring the zoo’s former owners to pay nearly $200,000 for the care of the seized animals and a criminal investigation was ongoing.
In the statement, Miyares said the relocation of the four giraffes would be handled “by trained professionals in coordination with animal welfare experts and veterinarians to ensure the giraffes’ health and safety during the move.”
Miyares also said that “every Virginian with a heart looks forward to seeing Wrinkles in her forever home” and promised to find “safe, loving environments” for Wrinkles and her playmates.
Valentine showed signs of stress, died during transport
Nearly 15 months after the jury verdict, Valentine was loaded into a trailer and hauled for hours across the country despite zoo officials’ concerns that she was showing obvious signs of stress.
Despite all the assurances from the AG, Valentine never made it to her “forever home.”
She died on her way to the Georgia Safari Conservation Park.
The AG’s office didn’t confirm her death until nearly two months later, despite repeated requests for an update on her condition and growing speculation on social media.
AG Spokesperson Shaun Kenney told Cardinal News that “Valentine showed no sign of distress or discomfort moving into South Carolina and was discovered to be deceased as they crossed into Georgia.”
The AG’s office defended its withholding of information saying it was waiting for a toxicology report on the dead giraffe and planned to release details at that time.
The AG’s office isn’t looking at seizure or transport as her cause of death; they seem to be treating Valentine’s death as part of the criminal proceedings against the zoo.
“A comprehensive investigation remains ongoing, including looking into two injection sites of a drug apparently administered by Natural Bridge Zoo,” the AG’s office said in a statement.
Nearly three months after Valentine’s fatal journey to her forever home, the AG’s office has not released her cause of death.
VAOA demands justice for Valentine
Virginia Animal Owners Alliance, a statewide group representing animal owners, doesn’t want to see the county, state or Attorney General’s office sweep Valentine’s death under the rug.
VAOA is asking the public to step in and demand justice for Valentine.
According to VAOA, VSP has opened an investigation into the troopers who were involved on site looking at whether the seizure was unlawful, inhumane and cruel, as supporters of the zoo allege.
“This debacle requires a thorough, independent, in-depth investigation into all the crimes that were committed during the removal of the Natural Bridge Zoo giraffes,” said VAOA in a post on its Facebook page. “We need to know exactly what happened with Valentine and all the laws that were broken with each animal by the Animal Law Unit of Jason Miyares.”
In a statement, Virginia State Police said it was not directly involved in the seizure.
“Valentine was removed from the Natural Bridge Zoo in May 2025 by the Virginia Attorney General’s Office pursuant to a court order. Two licensed veterinarians were present to assess Valentine’s condition, ensure safe handling and provide necessary care. The Virginia State Police was not directly involved in Valentine’s removal from the zoo. Rather, troopers were present only to provide security,” VSP Public Relations Director Robin Lawson told AFP.
“The Attorney General’s Office continues to investigate Valentine’s death as part of their criminal investigation of Natural Bridge Zoo,” Lawson said.
Natural Bridge Zoo video: Valentine’s seizure
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Crystal Graham
