MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Following an adventurous escape that captivated audiences online, a wayward zebra named Ed was finally captured on Sunday in Tennessee, according to local authorities. Ed’s escapade had turned into an internet phenomenon after being spotted roaming freely for over a week.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Ed was safely apprehended after being found in a pasture within the Christiana community, situated in central Tennessee. The sheriff’s office noted that their aviation team played a crucial role in the zebra’s capture.
“Ed was airlifted and transported by helicopter back to an awaiting animal trailer,” stated the sheriff’s office in an official release.
Footage shared by the sheriff’s department depicts Ed enclosed in a net, his head protruding as he is airlifted by the helicopter to the animal trailer.
The adventurous zebra originally arrived in Christiana on May 30, as per the details provided by the sheriff’s office. Ed’s owner alerted authorities of his disappearance the following day.
Throughout the week, Ed made headlines when he was sighted sprinting alongside Interstate 24, causing local deputies to temporarily close the highway. However, Ed managed to evade capture by dashing into nearby woods.
Numerous images and videos of Ed surfaced on social media, capturing him trotting through residential areas.
As a result, Ed became a hot topic for internet meme creators. Imaginary scenarios of Ed included dining at a well-known southern eatery, Waffle House, visiting various Tennessee cities, and even soliciting on roadsides.
Remarkably, Ed’s high-profile pursuit unfolded just one month after a separate incident where a runaway kangaroo resulted in the closure of a section of an interstate highway in Alabama.