Escaped Pet Zebra Safely Captured in Tennessee

A pet zebra that had been missing for over a week in Tennessee was safely captured on Sunday, bringing an end to a widely followed search that gained national attention. The animal, known as Ed the Zebra, had escaped from a private farm in Rutherford County just a day after his arrival on May 30.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Ed was finally located in a pasture near a subdivision in the Christiana community. Aviation crews were used to carry out the rescue. “Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,” the sheriff’s office confirmed in a public statement.

A video released by the authorities showed the zebra wrapped in a net, with its head sticking out as it was gently carried through the air to safety. Ed’s capture ended an unusual series of events that began when his owner reported him missing less than 24 hours after his arrival.

The zebra had been purchased by Taylor Ford and his wife, Laura, to join the diverse group of animals on their 115-acre farm, which also includes alpacas, bison, and cattle. Originally named Zeke, the zebra escaped on May 31 and quickly drew attention after being spotted running through traffic on Interstate 24.

The incident forced deputies to temporarily shut down part of the highway as they attempted to catch him. Despite their efforts, the zebra managed to evade capture and disappeared into a nearby wooded area.

Over the following days, Ed was seen multiple times in different parts of the area. Home security cameras captured him trotting through suburban neighborhoods, and on June 6, a police drone spotted him running through an open field. The next day, he was again seen near the highway.

The zebra’s presence created a stir on social media, where videos and images of his movements were widely shared. People quickly nicknamed him “Ed” and posted memes that imagined him in humorous situations, such as dining at a Waffle House or visiting other parts of Tennessee. One fake image showed Ed panhandling by the roadside, while others had him inserted into NASCAR races and Tennessee college events.

Ed’s sudden internet fame reached beyond social media. His story was turned into a children’s book, and a mural featuring him was painted in Nashville. As a result, his owners decided to make the nickname official and started referring to him as Ed.

Taylor Ford, who brought Ed to Tennessee from Texas, later shared concerns about keeping him on the farm. “I don’t want to worry about this escape ever happening again, and it being something that I’m part of and having to disrupt the community,” he said.

Ford expressed hope that a zoo or animal sanctuary might come forward to adopt Ed. “I’m hoping he becomes a symbol of something that brings people together for this community,” he added.

The zebra’s escape followed a similar incident in the region just a month earlier when a kangaroo managed to shut down a section of an Alabama interstate. While no injuries were reported in either case, both events caused significant disruption and brought attention to the challenges of keeping exotic animals as pets.

There has been no statement from state officials or lawmakers regarding the incident. No mention of legislation or policy has been made in connection to Ed’s escape.

As of now, Ed is safely back with the Ford family, but his future on the farm remains uncertain. While the family awaits possible contact from a zoo or sanctuary, the community continues to reflect on an event that brought both concern and unexpected entertainment.

The story of Ed the zebra has captured the public’s imagination not just for the spectacle of a zebra on the loose, but also for the way it brought people together online and in real life to follow his journey.