A runaway zebra named Ed recently took center stage in Tennessee. After evading capture for over a week, he was finally caught in a pasture near Christiana by local authorities.
Ed’s attention-grabbing adventure began on May 30 when he arrived in the area, only to disappear shortly after. His owner reported him missing the following day. Eyewitnesses spotted Ed on Interstate 24, which led deputies to temporarily close the road. Despite their efforts, Ed made a dash into nearby woods.
Throughout his escapade, Ed’s antics sparked a flurry of social media posts. Users excitedly shared videos of him trotting through neighborhoods and creating a buzz online. Memes soon followed, some humorously depicting him at local spots like Waffle House, a beloved eatery across the South. Others showed him “exploring” various Tennessee towns like Nashville and Memphis.
The chase to capture Ed was not only a local curiosity but also reminiscent of another recent animal escapade. In April, a runaway kangaroo caused a similar stir by shutting down part of an Alabama interstate. Such incidences raise questions about how often animals like Ed escape into urban areas and how communities respond.
Experts suggest that incidents like these highlight the importance of responsible pet ownership. When exotic animals are kept as pets, knowing local laws and safety measures can help prevent such situations. A 2021 report indicated that exotic pet ownership has grown by nearly 200% in the last decade, leading to increased interactions between wildlife and urban environments.
Ed was eventually airlifted back to safety, with the Rutherford County sheriff’s office sharing a video of his capture. It serves as a reminder of both the unexpected joy and chaos a wandering pet can bring to a community.
For more information about exotic pet ownership and its implications, you can visit the Humane Society for helpful resources and guidelines.