Escaped Zebra Causes Traffic Halt on Nevada Road, Captured on Video
RENO, Nev. — A zebra on the loose brought an unexpected pause to traffic on a Nevada road last weekend, captivating local residents and drawing attention to the ownership of exotic animals in the region. On Sunday, Jennifer Oliver and her husband, John, were driving along Huffaker Lane in Reno when they encountered an unusual sight: a zebra wandering down the middle of the road, forcing them to stop and capture the moment on video.
Jennifer shared the footage on the neighborhood platform Nextdoor, where it quickly gained attention for the rarity of the incident. The striped equine, later identified as a zebra named Ziggy, had escaped from its owner’s property and was on the loose for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. According to officials from Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS), an officer was dispatched to the area but was unable to locate Ziggy during the initial response.
By Monday, WCRAS had made contact with Ziggy’s owner, confirming the zebra had indeed escaped but was safely returned home without incident. While zebras are not commonly seen as domestic animals in Nevada, state and local regulations treat them under the same category as horses. This means that there are no special licensing requirements or restrictions unique to zebras, but owners must still comply with general equine care and containment standards.
The incident underscores the challenges that exotic animal ownership can pose to public safety and animal welfare. Though zebras are wild animals by nature, some are kept in private collections or farms, where containment can be difficult. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service oversees regulations related to exotic and non-domestic animals, but enforcement often falls to local agencies like WCRAS.
While the zebra’s brief road appearance caused only a minor disruption, it serves as a reminder of the importance of secure enclosures and responsible ownership. Traffic on Huffaker Lane was momentarily halted as drivers navigated around the animal, which could have posed a hazard if startled or if motorists attempted to swerve suddenly.
Exotic animal escapes are rare but not unprecedented in the United States. Similar incidents have involved animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, and even deer, often sparking community interest and prompting responses from animal control and law enforcement. For example, Colorado sheriff’s deputies recently responded to a report of a “kangaroo” on the loose, which turned out to be a wallaby with a social media following.
Washoe County’s handling of the zebra escape reflects a coordinated effort between animal services and the community to ensure both public safety and the well-being of the animal. Residents are encouraged to report sightings of escaped exotic animals promptly to help facilitate quick and safe resolutions.
As exotic animal ownership continues to raise questions about regulation and safety, incidents like Ziggy’s escape highlight the need for awareness and preparedness among owners and authorities alike. Meanwhile, the video captured by the Olivers remains a rare glimpse of a zebra casually strolling down a Nevada street, a moment that has since brought smiles and curiosity to many in the region.
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