Zebra Loose in Greene County — Be on the Lookout

Only in Greene county. This is from today's Times Union page:

Volunteers, forest rangers and law enforcement officers were combing the Catskills Sunday in search of a lost zebra.
The five-month old animal was spooked by a branch hitting a barn Wednesday when she broke away from her owner, Richard Myer, at Bailiwick Animal Park and Riding Stables in Catskill, Myer said. He added that he intended to board the zebra there.
Bailiwick owner Gary Koschitzki, however, said Sunday the animal is not affiliated with his animal park, and that Myer had shown up unexpectedly Wednesday with the zebra. Bailiwick has a different zebra, named Zazu, according to the park's Facebook page.
With state Department of Environmental Conservation offices closed Sunday, the Times Union could not determine the rules for zebra ownership in New York. Myer said private ownership of the animals is allowed.
Myer said he acquired his zebra on Tuesday, from an older gentleman whose medical issues left him unable to take care of the animal at his own farm.
Myer spoke from his cell phone Sunday while driving over back roads searching for the animal. He said she is the size of a large pony, with the traditional black-and-white stripes.
"You can't miss it, you really can't," Myer said. "That's why I'm surprised we haven't seen her."
The zebra was last seen on state hiking trails near the Catskill hamlet of Palenville, about an hour after she left Bailiwick, Myer said. The location is a couple of miles from the ranch.
He said he is grateful for the volunteers looking for the zebra. They include Scotia-based Richmor Aviation, a private jet management and charter company. Myer is also hoping to get a helicopter in the air to look for the animal.
He asked that hikers be on the lookout for signs of the zebra, including hoof prints smaller than the ones made by a horse.
Greene County Sheriff Greg Seely said he hopes someone in the search party finds the zebra before an unaware hunter does.
"With all the turkey hunters in the woods and stuff, hopefully we can find this thing for him," Seely said.
Myer is hopeful that the zebra, who has always lived in captivity, will make it on her own in the woods.
"It's just like a horse, it'll graze," Myer said. "I'm hoping when she does settle down, that she'll find somebody who has animals. She'll be looking for a buddy."
chughes@timesunion.com

If you see a Zebra in Greene County, it's not just how much you have had to drink, please call 911!