In a quirky turn of events near Seattle, a zebra dubbed “Shug” made headlines after a week-long escapade through the foothills of western Washington. The adventure began when Shug, along with three other zebras, broke free from a trailer last Sunday while en route from Washington to Montana.
After days of roaming, Shug was finally recaptured on Friday evening in the community of Riverbend, about 30 miles east of Seattle, according to a statement from the Regional Animal Services of King County. Despite her extended woodland excursion, Shug appeared to be in good condition, much to the relief of concerned locals.
While three of the escaped zebras were swiftly corralled in a nearby pasture, Shug’s determination led her to hop a fence and vanish into the rural landscape. Her disappearance sparked a flurry of sightings, with imaginative social media users placing her in various amusing scenarios, from ferry rides across Puget Sound to baseball games at T-Mobile Park.
However, amidst the lighthearted speculation, there were genuine concerns about Shug’s safety, particularly after trail cameras captured her wandering through the area alongside potential predators like cougars. To aid in her recovery, King County officials closed off trail access points and set up feeding zones to coax her out of hiding.
Shug’s owner, Kristine Keltgen, recounted the unexpected escape, explaining that the zebras bolted when she stopped to adjust a loose trailer mat. Despite the efforts of bystanders, including a rodeo clown and horse trainers, Shug managed to evade capture until her eventual reunion with her dazzle.
Now, Shug is set to embark on a new journey, joining her companions in Montana. The zebra’s escapade captured the imagination of locals and serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of wildlife encounters, even in unexpected places like the foothills of Seattle.
