Rodeo Workers Assist Washington Police in Roundup of Runaway Zebras
In a peculiar turn of events, rodeo professionals and state police in Washington came together to recapture three runaway zebras that had escaped from their trailer while being transported to Montana. The incident occurred on Interstate 90 near the city of North Bend, Washington, just outside of Seattle.
The Escape
On a Sunday, four zebras managed to break free from their trailer as they were being transported to Montana. The zebras, native to Africa, found themselves wandering along a portion of the highway, causing quite a stir among motorists and local authorities.
Recapture Efforts
Thanks to the quick response of state police and the assistance of two rodeo professionals, three of the runaway zebras, including a foal, were successfully corralled and brought back into custody. However, one zebra remains at large, eluding capture as of Sunday evening.
Trooper Rick Johnson of the Washington State Patrol expressed his astonishment at the unusual incident, stating that it was a first for him and all the troopers involved. Pictures posted by Johnson show one zebra casually strolling along the mostly empty interstate, with a police car in close proximity.
Local resident Whitney Blomquist, who witnessed the events unfold, humorously remarked that the situation had turned their area into a makeshift zoo. She mentioned that a rodeo clown, who happened to be in the vicinity, played a role in the recapture of the zebras. The collaboration between law enforcement and the local community proved instrumental in bringing the situation under control.
Previous Escapes
Interestingly, this is not the first time zebras have managed to escape from their handlers in recent years. In 2021, five zebras broke free from a private farm in Maryland and evaded capture for several months. Officials declared the animals “too fast” to be easily caught.
Rodney Taylor, Chief of Prince George County’s Animal Services Department, explained the challenges faced when attempting to recapture the zebras. He stated that they were incredibly swift and elusive, making it nearly impossible to hunt them down or get close enough to apprehend them.
While the reasons behind the zebras’ escape remain unknown, these incidents serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of animals and the need for expertise and collaboration to ensure their safe return.
