Law enforcement officers and the public in Washington state joined forces to capture four zebras that had escaped onto Interstate 90 near North Bend, on the eastern outskirts of Seattle. Trooper Rick Johnson of Washington State Patrol District 2 in King County shared pictures of the animals, with three of them still on the loose, before they were successfully corralled. The zebras had escaped while their owner stopped to secure their trailer, as they were being transported to Montana. One zebra is still missing as of now.
Witnesses described the scene as surreal, with one local believing the zebras were part of an elaborate prank. Cars attempted to corral the animals into neighborhoods, while the zebras were eventually found relaxing in someone’s yard across the street. Videos and photos of the zebras stopping traffic and roaming freely in North Bend circulated on social media, capturing the attention and amusement of the community. The King County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the situation, and it took two hours for three of the zebras to be captured.
Local residents and passersby assisted in the efforts to corral the zebras, with one individual humorously adding “zebra wrangler” to their resume after helping to guide one of the animals into a yard. A rodeo clown passing through the area also joined the bizarre rescue operation, providing his expertise in corralling the zebras. Regardless of the comical elements of the situation, the community came together to safely contain the loose animals. One witness described the scene as turning into a “zoo” with the addition of the zebras and rodeo clown in the mix.
The zebras’ escape and subsequent capture created a memorable and unexpected event in North Bend, with locals dubbing it “the day the zebras came into North Bend.” Despite the unusual circumstances, the situation was handled with a combination of humor and teamwork as law enforcement officers, residents, and even a rodeo clown banded together to deal with the runaway animals. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability that can arise in daily life and the importance of quick thinking and cooperation in addressing unexpected challenges. The community response to the zebras on the loose showcased the resilience and creativity of those involved in resolving the situation.
