A zebra that had been roaming the foothills of western Washington state for several days was recaptured Friday evening, nearly a week after being captured. escaped with three other zebras from a trailer near Seattle.
Local residents and animal control officers rounded up the zebra named “Shug” in the community of Riverbend, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Seattle, King County Regional Animal Services wrote on its website .
“The zebra appeared to be in good condition despite its nearly week-long adventure in the woods,” the agency wrote.
Shug was one of four zebras that escaped while being transported from Washington to Montana last Sunday. The driver had taken the Interstate 90 exit toward North Bend, in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Seattle, to secure the trailer, when the animals got loose – surprising residents and drivers as they galloped through a rural neighborhood. .
Three were quickly captured after being confined in a pasture. But the fourth – a mare initially nicknamed “Z” – jumped a fence and disappeared. Shug’s adventure quickly captured public attention, spawning memes on social media that placed the animal everywhere from crossing a ferry across Puget Sound to circling bases at TMobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners.
But there have been more credible sightings elsewhere: Some area residents have spotted Shug on their trail cameras, which has sparked some concern since the cameras have also recently captured cougars in the area.
Earlier Friday, King County officials closed trail access points along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail in the Boxley Creek Natural Area where the zebra appeared to frequent. People trying to catch a glimpse of the zebra there may have frightened it, making it more difficult to capture, they said. Feeding areas were set up to help convince the animal to rescue.
Owner Kristine Keltgen previously told The Seattle Times that she purchased the zebras in Lewis County, Washington, and was taking them to a petting zoo she runs near Anaconda, in southwest Montana. She had been on the road for about two hours when she noticed one of the caravan’s floor mats was flapping and dragging behind her. When she opened the door to adjust the rug, the zebras came running out. Several people stopped to help round up the animals, including a rodeo clown and horse trainers, but Shug had managed to evade these attempts.
Shug will now be transported to Montana to join the rest of the zebra group, King County Regional Veterinary Services said.
