PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
October 15, 2021

For more information, contact:
Linda Lowe
Public Information Officer
Department of the Environment
(301) 836-2115

Prince George's County Supports Humane Efforts to Capture Loose Zebras
Asks public to report any sightings to PGC311

Largo, MD - The Prince George’s County Department of Environment’s Animal Services Division reports continuing joint efforts to corral two loose zebras sighted in the Upper Marlboro and surrounding areas in Southern Prince George's County. Animal Control personnel are in ongoing communication with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the owner, and the caretaker of the exotic animals, who is working to capture the zebras separated from the rest of the herd.

The Prince George’s County Department of Environment (DoE), through its Animal Services Division is responsible for the enforcement of the Animal Control Ordinance. The County has robust laws to protect the welfare of animals and has clear administrative and court processes to ensure animals are protected. The County recently completed an overhaul to its Animal Control Ordinance that became effective in February 2020.

The caretaker has informed the County that one of the initial three zebras that got loose was caught in a snare trap and died due to its injuries in early September. The caretaker reported the incident to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police (NRP). Their role is to investigate the placement of the snares, as snare traps are illegal in Prince George's County. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is responsible for all enforcement of all fish and wildlife laws and regulations, and the NRP is assisting in this case in that capacity.

The current capture plan is to utilize food and other zebras to attract the zebras at-large into a corral so they can be returned to the herd and eliminate any other potential risk to the animals. USDA veterinarians and DoE Animal Services staff agree this is currently the best approach proposed for successfully capturing them, with the least risk to the two zebras still at-large.

"Our priority is to make sure the zebras are captured and returned to the herd," says DoE Director Andrea L. Crooms. "Once this is accomplished, the County will conduct a further investigation, and any actions including any appropriate charges against the owner will be evaluated."

The public is asked to continue to report any sightings of the zebras to PGC311 or by contacting the Animal Services Division at 301-780-7200.

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