Celebrities Slam Malibu Wine Safaris for Not Evacuating Animals, Including Stanley the Giraffe, Amid Fires

The vineyard, which features exotic animals, defended itself, saying Stanley was never in any real danger.

Malibu Wine Safaris, a California vineyard that features exotic animals, is facing criticism for not evacuating them amid the raging wildfires. 

The vineyard is home to the famed Stanley the giraffe, who appeared in "The Hangover Part III," as well as other animals. But when the flames approached, they were not evacuated. 

Comedian Whitney Cummings snuck onto the property after fire tore through the area to check on Stanley's well-being.

"Shame on you ... for not evacuating this animal or any of your animals," she wrote on Instagram.

She wasn't the only one worried about the giraffe. "Modern Family" star Ariel Winter begged for help online. 

"Can anyone assist in getting Stanley the giraffe to a safe place???" she wrote on Twitter. "He’s currently stuck in the Malibu wine safari area and is not safe. Please. This entire situation is devastating for everyone, and I just won’t be able to handle hearing that Stanley couldn’t be saved. Please."

But Malibu Wine Safaris maintains the animals were never in any real danger. 

"We knew we wouldn't be able to load him," general manager Jesse Harbison told Inside Edition. "We knew he should shelter in place."

Ultimately the animals were all pushed into a central area to protect them, at the urging of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

"They told us this area is large enough for the staging area," Harbison said. "It's not an area where there is any real risk."

Three pigs at the vineyard did die in the blaze, but they weren't kept were Stanley and the other animals were, according to Harbison. 

At least 44 people have died in the wildfires plaguing both Northern and Southern California.

RELATED STORIES

Latest News