WA businesses poke fun at escaped zebra in North Bend
NORTH BEND, Wash. - Three days after four zebras escaped from a trailer in North Bend, one remains on the loose, and local businesses and organizations are having a field day online as the search continues.
On April 28, the zebras got out on I-90 when the driver hauling their trailer stopped to fix the hookup. They were heading east to Montana.
Three were captured soon after, but everyone is captivated by the elusive fourth zebra.
Many people online are using AI to put the zebra in absurd situations, and FOX 13 may or may not have jumped on the trend.
Dick's got in on the fun and posted the "zebra" at one of its locations.
Zebra spotted in Bellevue, living his best life. #bagofburgers #onthelam pic.twitter.com/P6nL765rbN
— Dick's Drive-Ins (@DicksDriveIns) May 1, 2024
Big Foot Java posted on Facebook: "who ordered ‘The Zebra?’" and showed a cold white beverage with chocolate syrup stripes. It's unclear if they're actually selling the zebra drink.
Even wineries and cideries are jumping on the unfolding saga, like Thrall & Dodge Winery in Ellensburg and Sisters' Cider House on Bainbridge Island.
But they aren't the only ones: even auto businesses and roofing companies are taking part in the fun.
One government agency even chimed in:
"The teams at @WaDNR are always working to make sure our wildlife have healthy habitat. While this one was an unexpected challenge, we wanted to make sure that our new zebra friend felt comfortable for however long their stay in Washington ends up being," the Washington Department of Natural Resources posted on X, featuring a photo of "zebra-striped forest trees."
The teams at @WaDNR are always working to make sure our wildlife have healthy habitat. While this one was an unexpected challenge, we wanted to make sure that our new zebra friend felt comfortable for however long their stay in Washington ends up being. pic.twitter.com/JHZUWbYYhr
— Hilary Franz (@Hilary_FranzCPL) May 1, 2024
Even "Z" the zebra wants to be a Pierce County Sheriff's deputy! ... What do you think he'll buy with his signing bonus??? 🤔 🦓 pic.twitter.com/KnkS4XgBE1
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) May 2, 2024
Couldn’t resist… pic.twitter.com/NZrvquhcGD
— John HopperstadTV (@JohnHopperstad) May 2, 2024
It's amazing what we see on our traffic cameras. #zebra pic.twitter.com/xNGL7deKI6
— WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma) May 2, 2024
The missing Zebra has been found enjoying our freshly mowed fairways 🦓#StripesOnStripes #MissingZebra pic.twitter.com/vkK2Zi82sA
— Snohomish Golf Course (@snohomishgc) May 2, 2024
I'm starting to get burned out on a number of memes regarding the missing zebra in Northbend, WA - but this is one of the best yet! 🤣🤣🤣 #Northbend #Zebra #Seattle #PNW pic.twitter.com/y3hWybo3LO
— Troy Barber (@theHeretic64) May 2, 2024
Missing zebra in #WAstate found by Sasquatch. pic.twitter.com/vdnxidRzhU
— Susan (Shaw) Schlatter (@SusanSchlatter) May 2, 2024
Capturing escaped zebra
At this time, there are no plans by the Regional Animal Shelter King County (RASKC) to organize a large, formal search operation for the zebra. They say the area that would need to be covered is too large, and some of the terrain in the foothills of the Cascades would pose a danger to humans on foot.
Also, since typical spring weather is expected to prevail in the area for the next few days, there is little concern about extreme temperatures being a factor in the zebra's well-being.
RASKC has received numerous offers of help from animal search and rescue organizations, drone pilots, and other volunteers. They will be reaching out to those people if they are needed.
MORE ON THE MISSING ZEBRA FIASCO
North Bend residents help corral missing zebras
Animal control officers 'intensify' efforts to find missing zebra in North Bend, WA