East African crowned crane Alice, escapee from Cougar Mountain Zoo, spent 6 days mingling with great blue herons in Lake Sammamish State Park before a late-night capture in an Issaquah yard. “Alice was gently retrieved at 11:57 PM without incident,” the zoo reported.

After Alice’s 6-day adventure with heron companions near Lake Sammamish, Cougar Mountain Zoo staff received a tip—she’d landed in a local yard. The 11:57 PM retrieval was drama-free, but her return sparked a joyful reunion: “Her bonded partner, Hatter, welcomed her home!”

Alice’s escape route included a scenic detour past the Lake Sammamish boat ramp before her midnight rescue.