Elusive zebra recovered after 6 days on the run in Washington state

NORTH BEND, Wash. (KOMO) — A zebra that escaped from a trailer in Washington state last weekend was finally recovered Friday evening after being on the loose for six days.

The mare, which was originally identified as a stallion, was safely rescued in the Riverbend neighborhood, according to Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC).

RASKC said "Shug" was found after roaming in the foothills of the Cascades and occasionally being spotted by residents, which caused an international sensation as he and three other zebras wandered Washington after escaping from an enclosure.

Officials said private citizens joined animal control officers from animal control to make the rescue. Officials noted that the zebra seemed to be in good condition despite her being on the loose for nearly a week.

RASKC would like to thank its partners, including the King County Sheriff's Office, King County Parks, the Washington State Patrol, the city of North Bend, and the numerous residents of the area who assisted in this successful outcome," RASKC wrote in a release.

Animal control said the zebra will be transported to Montana, which is where the four zebras were originally headed before they escaped their trailer Sunday afternoon.

Three were quickly captured after being corralled in a pasture. But the fourth, “Shug,” hopped a fence and proved more elusive, spawning popular social media memes that placed the animal everywhere from riding a ferry across Puget Sound to rounding the bases at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners.

Animal Control confirmed the zebras' owner bought the animals from someone in Winlock, Washington, and was taking them to her petting zoo in Montana when they escaped.