Latest news with #RutherfordCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Footage of the ‘Tennessee Zebra' Being Saved Is Giving ‘Defying Gravity' Vibes
Footage of the 'Tennessee Zebra' Being Saved Is Giving 'Defying Gravity' Vibes originally appeared on PetHelpful. It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a — zebra? People in central Tennessee were stunned when they looked up and saw a zebra being airlifted in the sky. The zebra had been on the loose for more than a week before officials managed to track the animal down and take him back to safety. But not before the internet caught wind of the animal's escapades and made him a star. The zebra became instant internet gold after videos started circulating of him online. Call the clip wickedly good. The video shows the zebra being airlifted to a song from the hit musical Wicked. And it's just so fitting. Guess the zebra was defying gravity, right? 'THE TENNESSEE ZEBRA IS SAVED,' the video's poster, Peyton Kennedy wrote in the comments section couldn't help but laugh. 'Why does he look so embarrassed?' wondered one person. 'He's like, 'Yup, that's me. You probably wonder how I got here…'' another commenter joked. 'Imagine living your whole life on the ground and then all the sudden this happens,' quipped another person. 'Imagine not knowing there was a missing zebra and then just seeing this,' someone else teased. According to the Associated Press, the zebra is named Ed and first came to Christiana, Tennessee on May 30. His owner reported him missing the next day. From that point on, the wild animal was spotted in different spots around town, including along Interstate 24. The zebra's appearance caused police to shut the interstate down, but they still weren't able to capture him. Ed continued to be spotted out and about in Christian. Footage of the animal was shared on social media, prompting all sorts of hilarious memes and videos. Eventually the zebra was tracked down to a pasture near a subdivision. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office confirmed that once they spotted the zebra they sent out aviation crews to reign the animal in. 'Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,' a spokesperson for the sheriff's office said in a statement. We're sure that Ed was a little nervous being that high in the air during the rescue. But take heart, Ed! You've become internet gold. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. Footage of the 'Tennessee Zebra' Being Saved Is Giving 'Defying Gravity' Vibes first appeared on PetHelpful on Jun 13, 2025 This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
India Today
11-06-2025
- India Today
Watch: Runaway pet zebra captured safely after week of wild adventures
A runaway pet zebra that was on the loose for more than a week in Tennessee and became an internet sensation in the process was captured Sunday, authorities the Zebra was captured safely after being located in a pasture near a subdivision in the Christiana community in central Tennessee, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office confirmed. The sheriff's office said aviation crews captured the was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,' the sheriff's office said in a statement. Video posted by the sheriff's office shows Ed wrapped in a net with his head sticking out as he is carried by the helicopter to the trailer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Associated Press (AP) (@apnews)Ed arrived in Christiana on May 30, the sheriff's office said. His owner reported him missing the next zebra was spotted and filmed running along Interstate 24, forcing deputies to shut the roadway. But Ed escaped into a wooded were several sightings posted to social media. Ed was filmed trotting through a zebra quickly became the subject of internet memes. One fake posting showed Ed dining at a Waffle House, a southern staple. Others had him visiting other Tennessee cities or panhandling on the side of the pursuit of Ed came a month after a runway kangaroo shut down a section of Alabama Reel
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Middle Tennessee's missing zebra: Owner talks escape, why the animal may get a new home
It was dream that turned into a nightmare and ended with a big sigh of relief for Taylor Ford after his pet zebra escaped from his 115-acre Christiana farm, went missing for eight days and was finally captured on June 8. The zebra, which his wife, Laura, had named Zeke, was supposed to be a pet for the Fords for years to come, Taylor Ford said. Instead, he told The Tennessean June 9 that his wife had gotten a bad feeling about the new addition just before it arrived. "She didn't think that him coming home was the best idea. And it turns out, she was more right than ever," Taylor Ford said. Though he does some farming, Taylor Ford, 36, owns a landscape lighting business. His fascination with the African equine and its black stripes began about two years ago when he said he saw two live zebras at the end of the driveway at a Nashville property. That's when he knew he had to have one, he said. But the zebra escaped less than 15 hours after it reached the Ford family's Rutherford County estate. The couple bought Zeke on May 30. He came from Texas. While Taylor Ford declined to say how much he paid for the animal, he said they can cost about the same as horses. In some cases, anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000. And they can live for up to 25 years. The zebra was meant to be the ultimate showpiece for the Ford family, taking its place among the family's alpacas, bison, cattle and other farm animals. But, after its time spent on the loose in Middle Tennessee, the zebra's name has changed and his future is uncertain, Taylor Ford said. The father of three admitted June 9 that he doesn't have social media accounts, but his family kept him updated on Zeke's celebrity status. In honor of the social media buzz he generated, Zeke's name has been changed to Ed, and Ed's future may not lie with the Ford family. The escape and subsequent chase has made Taylor Ford question if the family can safely keep Ed on the farm. They're not even sure how he was able to escape, Taylor Ford said, noting that for now, the zebra is being housed in a more secure location. His dream is for a zoo to adopt Ed so people can visit him. That wasn't Taylor Ford's initial goal when he bought his dream animal. "It's really just the wow factor," Taylor Ford said, explaining why he bought the zebra. "When my kids have friends come over and we go back ... and we've got zebras or something else cool they're not used to seeing, it's just a really cool animal. "(But) I don't want to worry about about this escape ever happening again, and it being something that I'm part of and having to disrupt the community. I'm hoping he becomes a symbol of something that brings people together for this community." During Ed's 8-day Middle Tennessee sojourn, Fredricksburg, Texas-based Tango 82 Aviation led the search and recovery effort, a spokesperson for the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said. A call seeking comment for this story was not immediately returned by Tango 82 Aviation. Rutherford County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lisa Marchesoni told The Tennessean the zebra was finally spotted in a pasture near the Buchanan Road exit off I-24. Search and rescue teams honed in, with a veterinarian on hand to assist. "They (Tango 82 Aviation) used a net capture method that they use to capture these animals in Texas and basically dropped a net right over top of it," Taylor Ford told The Tennessean June 9. Marchesoni said no additional costs were absorbed by the sheriff's office as the local agency. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency joined the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office on the scene of Zeke's rescue for traffic safety. As Taylor Ford watched video of the zebra dangling from the net attached to a helicopter, he said he felt relieved. Every call he got for eight days put Taylor Ford on edge wondering if the zebra was alive or if someone had gotten hurt trying to approach it. "It was the biggest sense of relief for not only the animal, but our family and also the community. I've got children, and I know everybody seemed to have fun with this and everybody loved it. But at the same time, one of my concerns the whole time was safety." While Zeke was running loose, he ascended to celebrity status in the region with people creating cakes, songs and memes in his honor. The zebra caught the attention of local baker Lauren Jones, who created a 12-inch zebra cake to honor "Ed." Taylor Ford said "Ed" came from former National Football League referee Ed Hochuli, who was known for his muscular body. And of course, a black and white-striped referee uniform. More: Escaped Rutherford zebra being tracked via drone; officials warn public to 'stay clear' And Zeke was fast. Pictures and video flooded the internet as the zebra was seen running along Interstate 24 and flashing across area doorbell cameras. Zeke became the inspiration for a song called "Ed the Zebra" by Michael Marcovich using Suno, an AI generated software. Facebook user Diamond Shine professed her devotion to the zebra as he ran through Middle Tennessee. "Somehow, this rogue zebra galloping through Murfreesboro has brought me more joy in the last 24 hours than I ever expected," she said in a June 1 post. "The chaos. The memes. The chase. Ed." In addition to AI-generated photos of a zebra with a Middle Tennessee State University fan at a bar, zebras became the primary spokespeople for local businesses, recommending a spray tan at Serenity Skin and authorizing 15% off sale of all items at Love's Pizza in Murfreesboro. Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@ and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Meet the owner behind escaped Tennessee zebra turned social media star
News18
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Ed The Zebra, Captured After Week-Long Escape, Is Now An Internet Star
Last Updated: Ed, a zebra that had gone missing in Tennessee, managed to stay on the loose for an entire week before being safely recaptured and flown out by air. In a bizarre yet captivating story out of Christiana, Tennessee, a zebra named Ed became an unlikely celebrity after escaping his owner and embarking on a wild, week-long adventure. The drama began on May 31, when Ed broke free and began roaming through neighbourhoods, startling residents and even weaving through traffic on a nearby interstate. Videos and sightings of the striped fugitive quickly made their way online, turning Ed into a viral sensation as people across the country followed his journey. Authorities and local volunteers tried repeatedly to capture him, but the crafty zebra managed to stay one step ahead. Finally, on June 8, after more than a week on the run, the chase came to an end when Ed was safely located and captured with the help of aviation crews. The runaway zebra's journey may be over, but his legendary escape is one the town won't forget anytime soon. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office announced on Facebook that the aviation team Tango 82 successfully found Zebra Ed and brought him back to his owner on Sunday. Who Is Ed? Read All About His Great Escape Ed went missing on May 31, a day after being brought to his new home in Christiana, Tennessee. Recently purchased by a private owner, who has opted to stay anonymous, Ed's unexpected escape quickly triggered a large-scale search and drew public attention. His wild adventure kicked off when he was seen sprinting down Interstate 24, forcing officials to temporarily close sections of the highway to protect both drivers and the zebra. Although several attempts were made to catch him, Ed proved elusive, with numerous sightings reported in local neighbourhoods and nearby wooded areas over the following days. As Ed's runaway journey unfolded, social media lit up with videos, memes, and jokes, placing the zebra in all sorts of hilarious situations. One viral meme showed him casually eating at a Waffle House, while others imagined him sightseeing across Tennessee or holding a cardboard sign by the roadside. The internet quickly embraced Ed's escapades, turning him into a local legend with hashtags like #EdTheZebra gaining traction and fuelling his rise as an online sensation. After over a week on the run, Ed was found near Buchanan Estates on June 8. In a dramatic helicopter rescue, crews airlifted him in a net to safety. The video of his mid-air recovery quickly went viral. Is it legal to own a zebra? Yes, in Tennessee, zebras are considered Class III animals, meaning no special permits are needed to keep one. However, experts strongly advise against it. Zebras are unpredictable, sometimes aggressive, and have complex needs that are difficult to manage at home. Ed's escape is a clear reminder of the risks involved in owning exotic wildlife. First Published: June 10, 2025, 16:35 IST News viral Ed The Zebra, Captured After Week-Long Escape, Is Now An Internet Star
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Zebra in Tennessee captured after more than a week on the run: Watch video
Zebra in Tennessee captured after more than a week on the run: Watch video Show Caption Hide Caption Viral zebra hitches a ride to safety after escape Social media users have been following Ed the zebra's escapades for over a week. The celebrity animal has finally been rescued. Ed, the runaway zebra in Tennessee, who became the talk of the town, or rather the country, and sparked a barrage of memes has been caught after being on the loose for more than a week. The striped equid, nicknamed 'Ed' by the social media users tracking his escapades," was finally captured in a field in Christiana, about 45 miles south of Nashville, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Facebook, adding "Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer." News Channel 5 reported the zebra was hit with a tranquilizer dart and strapped in before it was airlifted via helicopter to be returned to captivity and seen by a veterinarian. Video footage from the rescue operation shows the zebra, wrapped in net with just his head poking out, soaring through the air, as he is carried by the helicopter. Video shows zebra being airlifted after capture Multiple agencies including the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency were involved in the operation, the sheriff's office said, and deputies were on standby for the safety of nearby residents. We've got every viral moment covered: Sign up for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter. How did the pet zebra escape? And when? The exact details surrounding the pet zebra's escape, including when, where and how the ordeal began, are not immediately clear. The pet zebra belonged to a couple who told law enforcement they "obtained the zebra Friday night, which escaped the following day." How long had Ed been on the loose? 'Ed' had been on the run since May 31, just a day after it arrived at its new home in Christiana. In the days since its escape, the zebra was spotted wandering around various neighborhoods and even "wreaked havoc" on a parkway near Interstate 24 in the city of Murfreesboro, so much so "deputies had to close the interstate because the zebra was running through traffic on both sides of the highway," Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Lt. Kenneth Barrett had said. Ed then "escaped into a wooded area and disappeared" until he was spotted again on June 5. Law enforcement officials had been tracking the zebra's whereabouts with a drone. Is it legal to own a zebra in Tennessee? As surprising as it may sounds, it is legal to own a zebra as a pet in Tennessee, according to The Tennessean. Zebras are classified as Class III animals that do not require any special permits. Other unusual animals that can be legally owned in the state include ferrets and chinchillas, llamas, alpacas, giraffes, bison, antelopes and marsupials like kangaroos. Contributing: Amaris Encinas, Natalie Neysa Alund and Hadley Hitson, USA TODAY / Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean
