Two newborn giraffes disappeared from the Natural Bridge Zoo in Virginia in the United States months ago, and the case gained repercussions after actress Alicia Silverstone, known for the movie “The Preppies of Beverly Hills,” joined PETA to offer a reward of 50 thousand US dollars, or about 268 thousand Brazilian reais, to anyone who provides information leading to the whereabouts of the animals. The appeal was announced in a statement from the entity published on Wednesday (19).
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According to PETA, zoo director Gretchen Mogensen has begun serving a 100-day prison sentence after refusing to reveal the whereabouts of the cubs. The authorities believe that the children were taken prematurely from their mothers, who were subjected, pursuant to a court ruling, to ill-treatment. “Separating cubs from their mothers in desperation is devastating for both,” Silverstone said in the statement, adding that every day without answers puts the animals in danger.
History of complaints and investigation
Investigations into Mogensen and the Natural Bridge Zoo date back to December 2023, when Virginia’s attorney general impounded about 100 animals there. At that time, 28 people had died or had to be euthanized. PETA reported finding animals kept in unsanitary conditions without veterinary care, as well as dozens of animal bodies and parts — including paws, skin, tails and even the head of a giraffe.
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Among the animals seized were four giraffes, two of which were pregnant. The court ordered the zoo to immediately report the birth of the cubs, which officially belong to Rockbridge County. However, they remained at the zoo for safety reasons, according to WSET Radio. When investigators conducted a spot check in April, the giraffes had already given birth, but the calves were not in any records or location at the facility.
In September, Mogensen was charged with contempt of court for failing to report the births. Prosecutors say she was directly responsible for the animals’ care and was supposed to ensure their safety. Her lawyer said providing the information could lead to self-incrimination. After he refused to provide explanations to the judge, he was given five weeks to reveal the whereabouts of the puppies or hand them over. In October, his defence’s appeal, which claimed “irreparable damage”, was rejected.
Mogensen has until February to complete the remainder of his sentence at Rockbridge Regional Jail. WDBJ7 reported that the zoo will remain closed to visitors during this period. According to PETA, Natural Bridge Zoo has a history of prematurely separating cubs from their mothers and has lost its exhibit license at least three times. Experts from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation confirm that cubs need to stay with their mothers for 15 to 18 months and can depend on their mother’s milk for up to a year.