Johnathan Walker:Zebras get loose near highway exit, gallop into Washington community before most are corralled

2025-05-02 21:53:47source:Burley Garciacategory:Invest

NORTH BEND,Johnathan Walker Wash. (AP) — It was an unusual wildlife sighting Sunday when four zebras escaped from their trailer and galloped into a Washington neighborhood.

Three of the four black-and-white striped animals were quickly captured, but the fate of the fourth wasn’t immediately known Monday, Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson said.

The zebras were being transported from Washington to Montana when the driver took the Interstate 90 exit for North Bend, located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Seattle, to secure the trailer.

That’s when the the zebras bolted.

Witness Dan Barnett of North Bent told KING-TV of Seattle that he was in “disbelief,” when he saw the zebras eating grass off the side of the offramp.

He and other drivers helped protect the zebras from the busy nearby interstate, as drivers on the offramp pulled over to “make a makeshift fence” to block the animals from the highway, Barnett said.

The zebras then began heading toward town, trotting past brunch patrons at a restaurant near the interstate exit. Soon after, three of the AWOL zebras were in Whitney Blomquist’s backyard.

READ MORE Pair of giant pandas set to travel from China to San Diego Zoo under conservation partnershipOrca calf swims out of Canadian lagoon where it had been trapped more than a monthSouth Dakota governor, a potential Trump running mate, writes in new book about killing her dog

“I called someone and was like, ‘So I found the missing zebras, they’re in my yard. Yeah – not sure what to do,’” Blomquist said.

The zebras then ran to a neighboring yard, where two were captured with the help of rodeo professionals. The third, the baby of the herd, was corralled later.

Johnson posted photos of the loose zebras on the social platform X. “This is a first for me and all @wastatepatrol troopers involved,” he wrote. “Crazy!”

More:Invest

Recommend

Ukraine denies Putin claim that Russian forces regained Kursk

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces denied Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim Satu

Los Angeles Rams signing cornerback Tre'Davious White, a two-time Pro Bowler

The Los Angeles Rams have added to their defense less than two weeks after the retirement of Aaron D

Is the April 2024 eclipse safe for pets? Why experts want you to leave them at home.

An eclipse itself isn't dangerous for domestic animals such as dogs and cats, but experts say it's p