Ed Zebra, a newly arrived pet Zebra who bolted from his pasture near Christiana, Tennessee, on May 31, has been located and rescued, ending a wild saga.
Ed proved elusive, darting down Interstate 24, prompting road closures, and weaving through both wooded areas and suburban streets. Video from deputies showed officers spotting the striped fugitive running alongside busy lanes. “Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,” the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Authorities mobilized an aviation crew on June 8, locating Ed in a pasture near Buchanan Estates. In a daring rescue, they bundled him into a net slung beneath a helicopter and flew him to safety. A video from the sheriff’s office showed a head‑sticking‑out zebra dangling midair, carried gently home.
The escape turned Ed Zebra into an internet sensation. Memes depicted him grabbing waffles at a Waffle House or riding fair rides—these creative spoofs brought a light‑hearted tone to a serious rescue. One local barber quipped, “Kind of confused as to why there’s a zebra walking along the interstate,” speaking to the surreal scene.
Ed’s owner, Laura Ford, celebrated his safe return, saying he is “safe and 100 % healthy.” Deputies worked alongside the Tennessee Highway Patrol and wildlife teams to ensure a calm conclusion to the saga.
Experts later noted Tennessee law permits Class III exotic animals like zebras without special permits—yet warn about their unpredictable nature.
