A zebra named Ed has been captured and safely returned home in Rutherford County, Tennessee, after spending a little over a week on the run, according to a press release from the local sheriff’s office.

Law enforcement officers spotted Ed near a tree line off Interstate 24 in Christiana using a drone and subsequently arranged for his rescue. The zebra, owned by Taylor and Laura Ford, was then airlifted home.

Why It Matters

Ed’s escape rapidly became a viral sensation, sparking debate online about the ethics of keeping exotic animals as pets.

Zebras, however, are legal to own in Tennessee and no special permits are required to acquire one, The Tennessean reported.

The animals can also be difficult to catch once they escape because of a “strong ducking reflex,” according to the Environmental Literacy Council (ELC).

What To Know

Ed broke free less than 24 hours after arriving from a Texas breeder at the Fords’ home in Christiana, Newsweek previously reported.

The zebra escaped on May 31, and was soon seen sprinting along highways and hiding in wooded regions south of Nashville, according to a Facebook post from the Rutherford County’s Sheriff’s Office.

Numerous videos shared across social media showed close calls between motorists and Ed as he ran alongside the road. Doorbell cams also captured the zebra wandering through neighborhoods.

Ed quickly became a local celebrity, with memes and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images circulating throughout social media. Business owners and Murfreesboro residents actively took part in the phenomenon. Stuart Irby, a barber, told local News Channel 5, that “everybody’s just getting a hoot out of it, here in Murfreesboro.”

As Ed remained elusive, Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies employed drones to monitor his whereabouts. Officials worked to minimize stress on the animal throughout the search process, the sheriff’s office said.

After many days of surveillance and multiple sightings in wooded and residential areas, Ed was finally located and carefully tranquilized with a veterinarian’s help before being airlifted to safety.

The sheriff’s office repeatedly urged the public to avoid interfering with the search on social media.

What People Are Saying

The Ford Family, Ed’s owners, told CBS News: “Through viral posts, news coverage, and thousands of messages, he became known as Ed the Zebra. And now, he will be forever known as Ed—a symbol of joy, laughter, and unity.”

Local resident Kathy Dunn told local television station WSMV: “Everybody knows about the zebra, everywhere. I had a man this morning, one of the drivers, he’s from out of state, and he saw it on the news.”

ELC said in a website about zebras: “…Zebras are more aggressive and dangerous than horses. They can bite and kick and are not typically suitable for domestication. Zebras are difficult to domesticate due to their aggressive nature, lack of a family structure, and a strong ducking reflex that prevents easy capture.”

What Happens Next?

Authorities have returned Ed to his owners, and his health will be monitored by a veterinarian.

Local officials, animal welfare advocates, and policymakers could face renewed scrutiny regarding laws that permit the private ownership of exotic animals like zebras in Tennessee.