Pet Zebra Airlifted After Week-Long Tennessee Escape

Ed, a pet zebra that escaped from his new home in Christiana, Tennessee, on May 31, evaded capture for over a week, becoming an internet sensation with viral memes depicting him in humorous scenarios around Tennessee. During his escape, Ed was spotted running along Interstate 24, prompting authorities to temporarily shut down the highway for public safety. After a widespread search involving the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and a Texas-based aerial search team, Ed was located in a pasture near the Buchanan Estates subdivision and safely captured on June 8. The rescue involved airlifting Ed by helicopter, during which he was wrapped in a net and flown back to a waiting animal trailer. Officials urged the public to avoid disturbing Ed during the recovery to ensure his safe return. This incident followed a similar case in April where a runaway kangaroo shut down an Alabama interstate.