Circus Zebras Briefly Escape

Thursday, March 20, 2008

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Three zebras from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus briefly escaped from their downtown venue, but were quickly corralled by their trainer and two handlers.

Mali, Giza and Lima spotted an open door at the 1st Mariner Arena on Thursday and dashed onto Hopkins Place, but were rounded up a half block away.  

Carrie Coleman, a veterinary technician for the circus, said it was a frightening incident, because the animals were in traffic lanes before returning to the sidewalk.

"They may have thought they were headed home," Coleman said, adding that the zebras were not hurt.

The same three zebras, plus a fourth, made a similar escape in June during the circus' visit to Colorado Springs, Colo.