Karmactive Staff
A pet zebra named Ed that roamed freely for over a week in Tennessee has been safely captured, ending an unusual saga that turned the striped escapee into an internet celebrity.
Ed was captured on June 8 in a pasture near a subdivision in Christiana, Tennessee, about 40 miles southeast of Nashville. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that aviation crews airlifted the zebra using a net and transported him by helicopter to an animal trailer.
“Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,” stated the sheriff’s office in a news release. Video footage of the aerial capture shows Ed wrapped in a net with his head sticking out as he’s carried by helicopter.
The zebra arrived in Christiana on May 30 and was reported missing by his owners, Taylor and Laura Ford, the very next day. During his week of freedom, Ed was spotted running along Interstate 24, forcing deputies to temporarily shut down the highway before he disappeared into a wooded area.
Sheriff’s deputies used drones to track the zebra, taking care not to spook the animal. “We don’t want to scare the zebra,” explained Sheriff’s Cpl. Sean White during the search. “We need time to get him to calm down.”
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As Ed evaded capture, his adventures caught the public’s attention. Social media users shared sightings and created memes showing the zebra in humorous scenarios – dining at Waffle House, visiting other Tennessee cities, and even panhandling along roadsides.
The Fords originally named their pet “Zeke” but embraced the public’s choice of “Ed” as the story gained traction. The owners expressed that the zebra would forever represent joy, laughter, and unity for people who followed his story.
While Ed’s escape and subsequent capture entertained many, animal welfare advocates raised concerns about keeping zebras as pets.
“The zebra escape in Tennessee is an unfortunate and completely avoidable incident,” said Angela Grimes, CEO of Born Free USA, an animal advocacy nonprofit. “Zebras are wild animals. They do not belong in back yards, kept as pets, or put on display for human entertainment.”
Grimes warned that such escapes cause “a state of severe stress for the zebra, which may result in increased harm to those who come in contact, including officials charged with trying to contain the zebra.”
In Tennessee, zebras are classified as “Class III” wildlife, considered not inherently dangerous to humans.
The incident occurred just a month after a similar situation in Alabama, where a runaway kangaroo shut down a section of interstate highway.
Throughout the search, the sheriff’s office had requested help from a veterinarian for the capture attempt, highlighting the specialized care needed when dealing with exotic animals.
Ed’s story has prompted renewed discussion about exotic animal ownership regulations and the challenges of recapturing large, non-domesticated species when they escape in populated areas.
