Zebra On The Run Was A Beloved Pet
What’s black and white and runs all over? A zebra in Tennessee.
After one week of being on the loose in the “Volunteer state,” with viral sightings captured on video, Ed the zebra was safely captured on Sunday, June 8.
Describing the animal as a “celebrity zebra,” the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department said it was “happy to report” that a team from Texas-based Tango 82 Aviation “located Zebra Ed and returned him to his owner.”
Tango 82 Aviation was one of a couple capture teams hired by the zebra’s owners, Laura and Taylor Ford, following Ed’s escape on May 31.
Remaining in Rutherford County for its time on the lam, the zebra was caught in Christiana, Tennessee, just 20 minutes from Murfreesboro.
The zebra had only been in the owners’ possession for one day before its escape.
Relive the zebra’s time on the run here:
Ed’s Dramatic Capture
After having shut down Interstate 24 on May 31, and briefly being spotted in the days that followed in fields and suburbs, Ed was finally captured.
Tango 82 Aviation, which specializes in the safe capturing of wild animals, was successful in its efforts to get Ed back under the care of its owners.
See the footage of the zebra being captured by a net gun here, in the second and third attached media on this Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKqMtfAxaA9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==.
Watch the zebra as it was taken by helicopter to an animal trailer nearby:
The Zebra’s Owners Speak Up
Speaking with WSMV 4, out of Nashville, on June 5, Ed’s owners noted that Ed was actually known to them as Zeke for the day they had the zebra, but that’s changing now.
“When we brought the zebra home, our family named him Zeke,” Laura and Taylor Ford said in a statement to WSMV 4. “But social media — and the world — had a different idea. 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.”
Noting that they received a lot of support from the community, as well as people learning of their situation through online videos and national news coverage, they added, “In a time when there’s often so much noise and negativity, Ed’s story has brought people together. He’s reminded us all of the good that still exists and the incredible power of community.”
Following Ed’s capture on June 8, Laura Ford posted to Facebook her thanks to law enforcement and others for participating in the search, stating, “After days of searching, we’re thrilled to share that Ed is safe, healthy, and reunited with his companion — and headed home where he belongs.”
She concluded her post, writing, “The zebra saga ends with a happy homecoming.”
In the state of Tennessee, zebras may legally be owned as pets.