Imagine you’re driving down Interstate 24, just minding your business, maybe sipping some lukewarm coffee, when a literal zebra streaks across the asphalt. It sounds like a fever dream. Honestly, for the residents of Rutherford County, it was just another Saturday in June.
A pet zebra on the loose in Tennessee isn't exactly a headline you see every day, but when it happens, people notice. This wasn't a small escape, either. It was an eight-day saga that involved drones, closed highways, and eventually, a helicopter rescue that looked more like a military extraction than an animal recovery.
The animal, affectionately named Ed by the internet (though originally called Zeke), became a local legend before he was even caught. He managed to evade capture while "wreaking havoc" near Christiana, about 40 miles southeast of Nashville. It’s a wild story that highlights just how weird life in Middle Tennessee can get when exotic pets decide to take a vacation.
How Ed the Zebra Went Rogue
It all started on May 30, 2025. A couple in Christiana, Taylor and Laura Ford, had just brought the zebra home from a breeder in Texas. Less than 24 hours later, the animal decided he wasn’t a fan of his new digs. He bolted.
By the next afternoon, he was spotted galloping along I-24 between the Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Epps Mill Road exits.
Deputies from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office had to scramble. They actually shut down both sides of the interstate—lanes heading toward Chattanooga and Nashville—just to keep drivers and the animal safe. Can you imagine the traffic jam? People were literally sitting in their cars watching a zebra play chicken with semi-trucks. Eventually, the animal disappeared into a dense wooded area, and that’s when the real game of hide-and-seek began.
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Why a Zebra on the Loose in Tennessee is Hard to Catch
Zebras are not just "horses with stripes." Not even close. According to the Library of Congress, these animals are notoriously unpredictable. They have a nasty tendency to bite and kick, and they don’t exactly "domesticate" like a pony would.
They are flighty.
For a week, Ed was a ghost. He would pop up on a home security camera in a residential neighborhood and then vanish before anyone could get close. The sheriff’s office had to be careful. Cpl. Sean White noted at the time that they didn't want to scare him, because a panicked zebra is a dangerous zebra. They used drones and K9 units to track his movements without getting too close.
The community, meanwhile, went absolutely feral on social media. People were posting AI-generated photos of the zebra at Waffle House or panhandling on the side of the road. It was funny, sure, but for the owners and the deputies, it was a high-stakes stress test.
The Dramatic Helicopter Rescue
The search finally peaked on Sunday, June 8. Aviation crews from Tango 82 and the Tennessee Highway Patrol finally pinned down Ed’s location. He was grazing in a pasture near the Buchanan Estates subdivision.
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The capture wasn't a simple "lead him into a trailer" situation.
They had to use a helicopter. The crew basically hoisted the zebra into the air using a specialized net harness. Video from the scene shows Ed dangling from the chopper, his legs kicking at the air, as he was flown across the field to a waiting trailer. It looked like a scene out of Jurassic Park.
Laura Ford later told reporters that the week was "long and stressful," but she was just relieved no one—and no zebra—got hurt. Ed was returned home 100% healthy, though probably a bit confused about why he’d just been airborne.
Is it Even Legal to Own a Zebra in Tennessee?
You're probably wondering how a private citizen even has a zebra in their backyard. Well, Tennessee law is surprisingly chill about it.
The state classifies zebras as Class III animals. Basically, that means they are considered "non-traditional" pets that don't require a special permit from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). You can own a zebra just as easily as you can own a hamster, legally speaking.
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Other Exotic Pets Allowed in Tennessee:
- Giraffes (Yes, really.)
- Camels
- Kangaroos (One actually caused a crash on an Alabama highway around the same time Ed was loose.)
- Most non-poisonous reptiles
While it's legal, experts like Angela Grimes, CEO of Born Free USA, argue it’s a bad idea. She pointed out that these are wild animals that belong in the wild, not in suburban backyards where they can escape and cause interstate shutdowns.
Lessons from the Rutherford County Zebra Incident
If you’re thinking about getting an exotic pet, or if you just live in an area where your neighbor might have one, there are some practical things to keep in mind. First, zebras are "flight" animals. If they get spooked, they run through fences, not around them.
Double-check your perimeter.
If you ever find yourself face-to-face with a zebra on the loose in Tennessee, do not try to be a hero. Don't try to pet it or "corner" it for a selfie. These animals have a powerful kick that can be fatal. The best move is to call local law enforcement and give them a specific location or landmark.
The saga of Ed the Zebra ended happily, but it serves as a bizarre reminder that the "wild" side of Tennessee isn't just bears and deer. Sometimes, it has stripes and a taste for the open road.
What to do if you encounter exotic wildlife:
- Maintain a distance of at least 50 yards; these animals are faster than you think.
- Report the sighting immediately to the local Sheriff's office or the TWRA.
- If you are driving, do not stop abruptly on the highway to take photos, as this causes secondary accidents.
- Keep pets and children indoors until the animal is confirmed captured.
By staying informed and respecting the unpredictable nature of these animals, we can ensure that the next "great escape" ends just as safely as Ed’s did.