NORTH BEND, Wash. — People in North Bend are on high alert, searching for a zebra on the loose.
It's one of four zebras that escaped near Interstate 90 Sunday afternoon.
King County officials said they've suspended their search for the zebra for Monday and will try again Tuesday morning. But "zebra watch" has been the talk of the town, with many still on the lookout.
"Zebras are most definitely not running wild anywhere in Washington that I know of,” said Kira Senske, who works at South Fork in North Bend. “Except for now I suppose."
Pictures and videos circulated on social media Sunday afternoon of four zebras out on the loose. After a couple of hours and several sightings, three of the four animals were corralled by authorities.
"Yes, it was seen about 1:30 this afternoon," said Dallas Clark, a volunteer for King County Animal Control. He is among those leading the search for the last lost zebra.
He added, "He kind of mosied in, walked right through."
But they wanted to be careful not to spook him, so they tried not to push in on the zebra too quickly. Unfortunately, the zebra got away again.
"He hasn’t gone far," said Clark. "He’s not scared. He’s just kind of lookin' and wondering where his friends are at this point.”
Clark said on Sunday the fourth zebra was on the same property as the other three, but that he, "jumped the fence, and he has been gone since.”
"Zebras are herd animals, and these particular zebras were used to being around one another," Clark said. "It’s domesticated. It’s not completely wild. It was somebody's pet."
Animal advocates are concerned that the last lost zebra could be hit by a car or hurt in another way, possibly on the area's steep terrain or by attempting to cross the Snoqualmie River. For this reason, the clock is ticking to find him safely.
Still, Clark said they do not want people trespassing on private property to search for the zebra. He is fearful that too many people will overwhelm the zebra and cause him to bolt farther away.
"People are up here looking, instead of just doing their normal routine," said Clark. "I understand the, the wanting to help. A big part of that, though, is also by not going out and finding him."
He added, "The bigger thing right now is we just don't want people pushing on him."
Clark said by around noon Monday, he'd heard that the three other zebras made it safely to the Spokane area on their trip to Montana. A western Montana woman had just bought these zebras because she runs a petting zoo there for children.
Meanwhile in North Bend, it's a story that has captivated a community.
"It put us on the map, that's for sure,” Senske said.
There is no map to find the last zebra.
"What would you do? Call 911 if you see one?” Jeremy Jenks asked. “Yeah, we're out walking the dogs and see if we can find the loose zebra."
He's not alone. Officials with the Regional Animal Services of King County are on the lookout, too.
"This is the first time anyone can remember that we've ever been called out on a zebra escape,” said Cameron Satterfield, a spokesperson with the Regional Animal Services of King County. “And hopefully it'll be the last one."
Animal control officers will be monitoring the North Bend area throughout the week until they find the zebra as it earns its stripes out on the run.
Everyone hopes the zebra will be found safe to end this memorable saga in this quiet town.
"Don't tell me that nothing happens in North Bend," Jenks said.
If you do spot it, you're asked to call 911