A zebra that had been on the run in Middle Tennessee for more than a week was safely captured Saturday morning, officials confirmed.
The animal, named Ed, escaped from its enclosure in the Christiana area on May 31. Ed had arrived in Tennessee just a day earlier from a breeder in Texas. His unexpected disappearance quickly gained attention online as residents spotted him in fields, neighborhoods, and even near Interstate 24.
After several days of searching, including the use of drones and K9 units, authorities located Ed in a large field on Saturday. A helicopter was used to safely capture and airlift the zebra to a waiting trailer.
Ed’s owner, Laura Ford, told reporters that he is healthy and unharmed. “It has been a very stressful week,” Ford said. “I am just grateful he is safe and that no one was hurt.”
The rescue effort involved multiple agencies, including the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
The story of the runaway zebra drew widespread attention on social media, with many locals posting photos and videos of Ed during his weeklong adventure.
For now, Ed is back in safe hands, and Middle Tennessee has a wild story to remember.