(Washington) For nearly two months, two zebras have been frolicking a few tens of kilometers from Washington, succeeding in overwhelming the wildlife officers launched in pursuit of them. Failing to catch the animals, their owner was charged this week with mistreatment.
These equines, more adapted to the wild life in Africa than in the American state of Maryland, escaped in late August from the farm where they lived. There were three of them who regained their freedom, but one of them was found dead last week.
“He was caught in a trap and died of his wounds in early September,” according to a statement from Prince George County, where authorities are scrambling to find the fugitives.
The owner charged
Their owner, Jerry Holly, was charged Wednesday with “animal cruelty”. The fleeing zebras “have not received adequate food, water, or veterinary care” and “are in danger, as the death of one of them proved,” says the act. indictment of the local prosecutor.
“The owner tried to capture the zebras, but was unable to do so and they are still on the run, for 54 days now”, further details the document.
The animals “represent a risk for people who approach them and for drivers on the roads,” according to the document.
Since their escape, these new local celebrities have nevertheless made the happiness of the regional media and aroused the amusement of the inhabitants of the county, who have recorded their regular appearances on social networks.
Joshua DuBois, a former White House official under Barack Obama, said in September that his son had “calmly told him ‘daddy, I saw the zebras'”. “Boom. Wild Maryland zebras, ”he tweeted, with a video showing a zebra trotting.
Latest attempt to catch the recalcitrant quadrupeds: use … “other zebras”, as well as food, in the hope of attracting them, specifies the County of Prince George.
Once the zebras are “captured”, a “further investigation” will be carried out, authorities promise.