By Seattle Medium Staff
After captivating the hearts of people both locally and internationally during her nearly week-long escapade, a wayward zebra affectionately known as “Sugar,” or “Shug,” is finally set to head to her intended home in Montana following a successful rescue operation on Friday evening.
The dramatic capture occurred in the Riverbend area southeast of North Bend, Washington, just after 7 p.m. local time. Shug had been evading capture for almost six days in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains after escaping from a trailer on Sunday. The zebra, along with three others, was being transported from Winlock, Washington, to Anaconda, Montana, when an issue with the trailer prompted a stop on Interstate 90 near North Bend. As the owner attended to the trailer, the zebras bolted. While three were swiftly rounded up, Shug remained elusive until Friday’s successful capture.
“We’d like to thank everyone who assisted us in this successful effort by calling in sightings and sharing information on the zebra’s location,” expressed Captain Tim Anderson, operations manager for Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC). “Our community in King County really came together to help Shug, and we wouldn’t have been able to do our work without their support.”
“The four wayward zebras were embraced by our community the moment they jumped off the trailer at exit 32. I am honored to have had the opportunity to witness Sugar’s safe recovery this weekend,” said Mayor Mary Miller of North Bend, reflecting on the collaborative effort that led to Shug’s rescue.
“It was a privilege to be part of the successful rescue of this now-famous zebra,” shared RASKC Animal Control Sergeant Samantha Moore, who witnessed Shug’s safe capture firsthand. “Seeing her safely loaded into a trailer and on her way home is the best outcome we could have hoped for, and exactly what I wanted to see as an animal control officer.”
The rescue operation took approximately three hours, during which Shug was safely loaded into a trailer for transport. Sergeant Moore conducted a quick examination, revealing that Shug appeared to be in reasonably good health despite her prolonged adventure. However, it remains unclear whether a full veterinary examination has been arranged by the zebra’s owner.
RASKC is currently in the early stages of its investigation into the escape and recapture of the four zebras. The investigation is expected to take several weeks, with potential citations or fines awaiting the owner pending its completion.
Throughout the ordeal, the owner of the zebras remained in contact with RASKC from her residence in Montana. She is now collaborating with individuals in Washington state to accommodate Shug until she can be transported to her intended destination. For privacy and the zebra’s well-being, RASKC has opted not to disclose the exact location where Shug is being held, confirming only that it is not within King County.
With the last missing zebra now safely accounted for, the community can breathe a sigh of relief as Shug prepares for her journey to Montana, marking the end of a remarkable and heartwarming tale that captured the attention of people worldwide.
