NORTH BEND, Wash. — A zebra that went missing after getting out of its trailer near the freeway is still on the loose Friday, and King County officials are asking the public to stay away from the area where recent sightings have been reported.
Grainy footage from a new video on Friday, captured by a hiker, shows a zebra that surely feels as out of place as she looks.
Cameron Satterfield of Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) said crews have been fielding pictures and videos all week.
“It looks like she is doing well, apparently eating and drinking so that gives us hope,” Satterfield said.
The saga began Sunday when four zebras got loose from a trailer after the owner pulled over on Interstate 90 near North Bend. After all four initially got free, three of them were eventually corralled and returned to the owner. One zebra, however, has yet to be tracked down.
RASKC said on Friday that the zebra's owner knows a person in Washington wo is familiar with animal behavior and will attempt to capture her. If or when the person is successful, RASKC will provide an update.
King County Councilmember Sarah Perry posted on her personal Facebook page Thursday, urging the public to give rescuers and officials the space they need to safely locate the zebra.
"Please join us in partnership as we work to rescue our sweet zebra by giving our rescuers all the space they need to rescue her. She is in an area where there are feeding zones to coax her out for a rescue, but every time a well-intended walker, bicycle, or unleashed “search dog” comes near her it makes rescuing her so much more difficult," Perry wrote.
RASKC also shared an update on the zebra Thursday, indicating that "contrary to the owner's original statement," the missing zebra is a mare, or female zebra.
RASKC also said in a Facebook post on Friday morning that officials from the Department of Natural Resources will be closing access points along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail near Boxley Creek Natural Area, "as that seems to be an area the zebra is frequenting."
Authorities urge people to avoid driving, walking or biking through areas where the zebra has been seen as it is dangerous to humans and hinders efforts to capture the zebra.
“We don’t want look-e-loos going through just to see the zebra. It’s upsetting for the zebra it makes it harder for us to try to pinpoint where it’s at and coral it. And get it on its way to its new home,” Satterfield said.
The species is by all accounts as resilient as it is beautiful – and experts are hopeful she’ll continue to graze in the northwest until she’s found.
Animal control officers are not actively searching for the zebra, but they are following up on credible reports, including daily checks in the North Bend area.
Anyone who spots "Z" the zebra is asked to call 911 or RASKC's non-emergency number at 206-296-7387. Photos or videos that help pinpoint the location of the zebra can be emailed to RASKCMedia@kingcounty.gov.