New details in nearly year-long animal cruelty investigation at Natural Bridge Zoo

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — Four giraffes, including two pregnant females, will be rehomed as part of the ongoing animal cruelty case against the Natural Bridge Zoo.

According to the office of Virginia’s Attorney General, these four giraffes are among the 71 animals which, a jury ruled in March, were neglected by the Zoo.

“Animal cruelty cases are the ones that break your heart,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “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 operation that started last year. The Attorney General’s Office and other local authorities seized nearly 100 animals in December 2023. Four months later, a jury ruled that the State would be required to return 29 of those animals, but the seizure of the other 71 was justified.

The zoo has been ordered to pay almost $200,000 for the care of the seized animals.

There is also an ongoing criminal investigation, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

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