After an extensive eight-day search across a Tennessee County, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that “celebrity Zebra Ed” has been safely rescued. A Facebook post on Sunday announced that the air crew successfully located and returned the zebra to its owner.
Zebra Ed was found in a meadow near Interstate 24, not far from the Buchanan Estate. Interestingly, during the chaos of traffic, the zebra was seen making its escape, captured on cameras as it traversed busy Tennessee roads.
The rescue video displayed a helicopter lifting Zebra Ed from a wooded area, showcasing the efforts made to recover the animal. Officials noted that Zebra Ed had departed to Christiana on May 30 and was reported missing by its owner the very next day. However, the sheriff’s office has not disclosed details about how the zebra came to be with its owner or the specifics of its living situation at the time of the escape.
Deputy Ryan Keach actively sought out Zebra Ed, finding him on May 31, and had to close one lane of traffic to ensure the safety of both the zebra and drivers. Over the course of the rescue, both eastbound lanes directed toward Chattanooga and westbound lanes toward Nashville were also temporarily closed for safety concerns.
Following this initial sighting, Zebra Ed was not seen again for a few days until he was located on June 6 in a field near Ridgewood Drive. Authorities had been utilizing drone cameras to monitor him and coordinated with a veterinarian to ensure safe capture. RCSO Corporal Sean White remarked on the necessity of calming Zebra Ed during the rescue efforts, indicating that a gentle approach was paramount.
While the sheriff’s office has not disclosed any further plans for Zebra Ed, the story of his adventurous escape continues to draw interest and attention.
