In a stunning display of black-and-white brilliance, a dazzle of four zebras decided to break free from their trailer and embark on a wild adventure in Washington state.

For those not in the know, a group of zebras is called a “dazzle,” a term believed to have originated from the mesmerizing effect of seeing multiple zebras moving together, their stripes creating a ‘dazzling’ visual pattern.

The rebellious dazzle, led by the mischievous mare named Sugar (aka Shug), made their daring escape on April 28 while being transported from Winlock, Wash., to Anaconda, Mont. The zebra’s owner, Kristine Keltgen, pulled over on Interstate 90 to fix a trailer issue, giving the striped rebels the perfect opportunity to make a run for it. 

Three of the escapees were swiftly captured, but Sugar had no intention of going back to captivity. For six glorious days, Sugar roamed the Washington wilderness, becoming a viral sensation and capturing the hearts of the public. Some say she was heard humming the tune of “The Great Escape” as she galloped through the lush green forests. 

Search teams, consisting of animal control officers, the Washington State Patrol, and local residents, formed to track down the elusive member of the dazzle.

Enter David Danton, a former rodeo clown and bullfighter, who stepped up to lead the “Stripe Squad” in their quest to bring Sugar home. With the help of a mountain biker turned zebra spotter and a trusty loaf of white bread, Danton and his team set out to create the perfect zebra trap.

Using his rodeo skills and a bit of zebra whispering, Danton lured Sugar into increasingly smaller pens until she found herself in a trailer, ready to continue her journey to Montana. Local residents cheered as the news spread, with some even suggesting an annual “Sugar’s Great Escape” festival to commemorate the event, complete with zebra-striped face painting and “Earn Your Stripes” relay races.

Throughout her escapade, Sugar inspired a flurry of memes, jokes, and even zebra-themed merchandise in North Bend. Local businesses got in on the action, with BigFoot Java offering a special “The Zebra” drink featuring chocolate syrup stripes and Sisters’ Cider House creating a limited-edition “Zebra Cider.” 

The Washington Department of Natural Resources even joined the fun, posting a photo of zebra-striped forest trees to make Sugar feel at home.

As Sugar settles back into life with her dazzling companions, she leaves behind a legacy of adventure, humor, and the reminder that sometimes, you just have to earn your stripes. Who knows, maybe she’ll write a memoir about her adventures, titled “Black, White, and Free: My Days as a Fugitive Zebra.”

So, the next time you’re feeling trapped in a mundane existence, just remember: if a member of a dazzle can break free and become a legend, so can you. Just try to avoid causing a multi-state zebra hunt in the process – leave that to the professionals, like Sugar and her dazzling companions.

🇺🇸ZEBRA FREEWAY CHASE?

First an elephant marched down Main Street America, now 4 zebras escaped from a trailer in Washington state and led police on a chase.

The animals are taking over…

Source: Police Frequency pic.twitter.com/VZKpztWnog

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 28, 2024