PALENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Reports say the Zebra lost in Palenville did not make it. Fortunately she was found and buried where she passed, so there is some closure.

The 5-month-old zebra named Zula went missing after she was spooked by a branch hitting a barn on Thursday at Bailiwick Animal Park and Riding Stables in Catskill, 30 miles south of the capital. A $1,000 reward was posted to locate the animal.

The DEC says they were alerted on onday that the 200-pound Plains zebra escaped from Bailiwick Animal Park in Catskill and was on the loose in the Catskills.

ECOs found the zebra deceased Monday morning near Rt. 23A between Palenville and Haines Falls in the Kaaterskill Wild Forest Preserve. The zebra appears to have fallen off a steep cliff, dying in the Kaaterskill Clove section of the preserve.

DEC Forest Rangers and ECOs were on scene with New York State Troopers and the owner of the zebra.

Owners of Plains zebras (Equus quagga) do not need a license to possess from DEC but rather a USDA license to exhibit.

If it was a Grevy’s Zebra (Equus grevyi), a mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) or a Hartmann’s mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) each federally listed as endangered or threatened, the owner would have needed a special license from DEC.

ECOs have contacted officials from the USDA and they are investigating the incident.

The zebra’s owner wants to thank everyone; residents, the DEC, State Police and sheriff deputies that did their best to find her.

The owner, Rich is devastated. Our own Meteorologist Steve Caporizzo spoke to Rich a few times. He’s the type of person that truly does amazing rescue. He saves pets and animals that no one else wants. Without him, many would not be around today.

Our thoughts are with Rich at this time.