A zebra named Ed was captured and returned safely at his home in the county of Rutherford, Tennessee, after spending a little more than a week on the run, according to a press release from the local sheriff.
The law enforcement agents spotted Ed near a tree line on the Interstate 24 in Christiana using a drone and subsequently arranged for its rescue. The zebra, belonging to Taylor and Laura Ford, was then transported by plane.
Why it matters
ED's escape quickly became a viral sensation, causing an online debate on the ethics of maintenance of exotic animals as pets.
Zebras, however, are legal to have in Tennessee and no special permit is required to acquire one, TENNESSAN reported.
Animals can also be difficult to catch once they escape due to a “strong Duen reflex”, according to the environmental literacy council (ELC).
Rutherford County Sheriff Bureau via AP
What to know
Ed freed himself less than 24 hours after his arrival from a Texas breeder at the Fords home in Christiana, Nowsweek previously reported.
The zebra escaped on May 31 and was quickly seen sprinter along the highways and hide in wooded regions south of Nashville, according to an article on Facebook of the Sheriff's Bureau of Rutherford.
Many videos shared on social networks have shown close calls between motorists and EDs while running along the road. The doorbell cameras also captured the wandering zebra in the neighborhoods.
Ed quickly became a local celebrity, with memes and images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) circulating on social networks. Business owners and Murfreesboro residents actively participated in the phenomenon. Stuart Irby, a hairdresser, told Local News Channel 5, that “everyone is no longer pulling a hoe, here in Murfreesboro”.
As ED remained elusive, the Sheriff deputies from Rutherford County used drones to monitor his fate. Managers worked to minimize stress on the animal throughout the research process, said the sheriff's office.
After several days of surveillance and multiple observations in wooded and residential areas, ED was finally located and carefully tranquilized with the help of a veterinarian before being transported by plane.
The sheriff's office has exhorted the public several times to avoid Icher for social networks research.
Celebrity Zebra Ed saved Sheriff from Safilyrutherford County is happy to report the Tango 82 aviation teams located Zebra Ed and returned to …
What people say
The Ford family, the owners of Ed, told CBS News: “Thanks to viral messages, the cover of news and thousands of messages, he has become known as Ed The Zebra. And now he will always be known as Ed – a symbol of joy, laughter and unity.”
Local resident Kathy Dunn told the local WSMV television station: “Everyone knows the zebra, everywhere. I had a man this morning, one of the drivers, he is from the outside of the state, and he saw it in the news.”
ELC said on a website on zebras: “… the zebras are more aggressive and dangerous than horses. They can bite and give kicks and are generally not suitable for domestication. Zebras are difficult to domesticate because of their aggressive nature, their lack of family structure and a very reflex which prevents easy capture.”
What happens next?
The authorities have returned Ed to its owners and his health will be monitored by a veterinarian.
Local officials, defenders of animal welfare and decision-makers could be faced with a thorough examination concerning laws that allow private property of exotic animals such as Zebres in Tennessee.
