Four Zebras Escape During Transport in Washington, Three Captured

On Sunday, April 28, 2024, four zebras escaped from a trailer during transport from Washington to Montana, galloping into a North Bend neighborhood near Seattle. Three of the zebras were quickly captured, but the fate of the fourth zebra remained unknown as of Monday.

The incident occurred when the zebras broke free from their trailer while the driver stopped to secure it near Interstate 90 Exit 32 around 1 PM. Witnesses reported seeing the zebras eating grass off the side of the interstate offramp and heading towards the town, with drivers on the offramp helping to protect them from the nearby busy highway.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson described the incident as a first for him and all the troopers involved, calling it "crazy." The community came together to help corral the escaped animals, with dozens of residents, police officers, and volunteers joining the effort.

The zebras eventually made their way into a residential neighborhood, surprising patrons at a nearby restaurant. Three of the zebras, including a baby, were found in a resident's backyard and caught with the help of rodeo professionals. However, the fourth zebra remained unaccounted for at the time of reporting.

Why this matters: The unusual wildlife sighting and escape of exotic animals in a populated area raises concerns about public safety and animal welfare during transportation. It also highlights the importance of proper containment measures and emergency response protocols for such incidents.

As of Monday, the King County Sheriff's Office and Regional Animal Services were unable to verify how the zebras escaped from the trailer. Police have asked the public to report any sightings of the fourth zebra. The captured zebras are now under the care of animal control while the search for the missing zebra continues.

Key Takeaways

• 4 zebras escaped trailer near Seattle, 3 captured, 1 still missing.
• Zebras broke free while driver stopped to secure trailer near I-90.
• Community helped corral escaped zebras, with police and volunteers.
• Incident raises concerns about animal transport safety and protocols.
• Authorities investigating how zebras escaped and searching for missing one.