A zebra named Shug escaped en route to a petting zoo in Montana, leading to a dramatic week-long search in Washington state before being safely recaptured.
Shug, a zebra that escaped while being transported to a Montana petting zoo, caused a stir in Washington state after evading capture for nearly a week. The incident began when Shug and three other zebras broke free from their trailer. While her companions were quickly recaptured, Shug remained at large, prompting a coordinated search effort involving local residents, animal control officers, and law enforcement.
The zebra was eventually found near the community of Riverbend, approximately 30 miles east of Seattle. Despite her adventures in the Cascade mountain foothills, and concerns about the presence of cougars, Shug was reported to be in good health following her capture.
The Regional Animal Services of King County (Raskc) managed the situation with assistance from the community, which included closing trailheads along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail to reduce human disturbance and aid the rescue efforts. The search garnered significant attention, inspiring social media memes and local comparisons to mythical creatures like Bigfoot.
Shug’s owner, Kristine Keltgen, expressed relief at the zebra’s safe return. Now secure, Shug is set to rejoin her group and continue on to Montana.
