Murfreesboro, Tennessee — A runaway pet zebra that had been on the loose in Tennessee for almost a week and had become an internet phenomenon was apprehended on Sunday, authorities said.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office announced that Ed the Zebra was safely captured after being discovered in a pasture near a subdivision in the Christiana town of central Tennessee. According to the sheriff’s office, the zebra was apprehended by aviation workers.
“Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,” the sheriff’s office stated.
The sheriff’s office tweeted video of Ed encased in a net with his head poking out as he is flown by helicopter to the caravan.
The sheriff’s office said that Ed arrived in Christiana on May 30. His owner reported him missing the following day.
The zebra was sighted and filmed trotting along Interstate 24, prompting cops to close the lane. But Ed escaped into the woods.
There were several sightings reported on social media. Ed was filmed trotting through a neighbourhood.
The zebra rapidly became the focus of internet memes. One bogus posting depicted Ed eating at a Waffle House, a southern institution. Others suggested he explore other Tennessee cities or panhandle on the side of the road.
The pursuit of Ed began a month after a runway kangaroo shut down a portion of Alabama roadway.
