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Virginia AG announces relocation of four giraffes from Natural Bridge Zoo

Rebecca Barnabi
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Four giraffes were among 71 animals awarded to Rockbridge County after a March 2024 jury verdict found overwhelming evidence of neglect at Natural Bridge Zoo.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares secured a significant victory in the Commonwealth‘s ongoing fight against animal cruelty in a Rockbridge County Circuit Court ruling where the three female giraffes, including two pregnant females, and one male giraffe will be immediately relocated from the Natural Bridge Zoo. The giraffes are Wrinkles, Valentine, Jeffrey and Little Girl.

“Animal cruelty cases are the ones that break your heart,” Miyares said. “Wrinkles the Giraffe and her family will find safe, loving environments who know how to care for them. My congratulations goes out to our Animal Law Unit for stepping up and bringing justice to Wrinkles and her playmates. Every Virginian with a heart looks forward to seeing Wrinkles in her forever home.”

The giraffes were part of a large-scale operation conducted in December 2023, during which the Attorney General’s Office and local authorities seized animals from unsafe conditions at the Natural Bridge Zoo. In March 2024, a jury confirmed that the state was right to seize 71 of the animals, including the giraffes, capuchin monkeys, exotic birds and other species.

The giraffes’ relocation is handled by trained professionals in coordination with animal welfare experts and veterinarians to ensure the giraffes’ health and safety during the move.

The victory in the civil case is reinforced by an order requiring the zoo’s former owners to pay nearly $200,000 for the care of the seized animals. Meanwhile, the criminal investigation remains ongoing.

The case was carried out by the Attorney General’s Animal Law Unit led by Senior Assistant Attorney General Michelle Welch. Assistant Attorney General Kelci Block and Assistant Attorney General Sarah Hornberger also contributed on behalf of Rockbridge County and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Related stories:

Office of Attorney General responds to Natural Bridge Zoo investigation, seizures

Jury sides with Rockbridge County on fate of 71 animals at Natural Bridge Zoo

After tumultuous offseason, Natural Bridge Zoo to reopen under new ownership

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.