A National Zoo bobcat went missing, and America took it really seriously

Breathe, America. Breathe. A bobcat that was missing from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., has been found after disappearing for nearly two days.

No one was hurt as the animal prowled city streets up to two miles away. Authorities held a news conference at the zoo Wednesday afternoon to announce the good news, and reporters there peppered them with questions because, let’s be honest, everyone could use a break from all the political news in D.C.

The zoo first reported Ollie was missing on Monday. Zoo staff immediately closed the area surrounding the bobcat exhibit and warned guests and people in the surrounding area not to approach her if they found her.

Americans were fascinated by the missing bobcat. How far would it go? Would it attack local school children playing outside? Would America survive all this tumult?

Of course, Ollie even worked up a Twitter account whilst on the lam.

People said they saw her in surrounding neighborhoods, but zoo keepers, police officials and other authorities couldn’t find her anywhere. Meanwhile, they maintained that the bobcat posed no threat to the public.

But area schools were worried enough to cancel outdoor recess Tuesday. Nobody wanted another Harambe situation, either way.

Thankfully, the 25-pound female cat was found Wednesday afternoon on zoo property.

People had mixed reactions to the news. Some wished the bobcat would have escaped for good.

Now the nation can go back to focusing on other issues. There are a few.

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin