We have our fair share of animal hijinks around here. We’re used to seeing alligators in places they ought not be and not seeing them where they should be. Every once in a while, an animal gets loose and causes a days-long news cycle by doing its thing. But zebras on the neutral ground? That’s a new one to us.

The seeming premise to a children’s book occurred in New Orleans East and was discovered by two New Orleans Police Department officers out on patrol. The incredulous members of the NOPD’s 7th District shared shots of the three zebras to their Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/NOPDSeventh/posts/2163215603948605

“First, we had puppies, then kittens, then alligators and even a baby hawk….but these four-legged friends take the cake!!!” they wrote. “Last night, Seventh District Officers Koeller and Washington were on routine patrol when they encountered three zebras grazing on Lake Forest Boulevard!!!”

Where did they come from? How did they get there? We’ve reached out to the NOPD and will update this story when we know more. For now, just enjoy the weirdness of it all.

UPDATE: It seems like the zebras weren’t as adventurous as we thought. The UniverSOUL Circus was set up nearby and the zebras were let out under the watchful eye of several trainers, according to the NOPD. No citations or infractions were issued.