Ed the Zebra Captured After Week-Long Escape in Rutherford County

Christiana, Tenn. — June 8, 2025 — After a week of sightings, search teams, and social media buzz, Ed the zebra’s great escape has finally come to an end.

Ed — also known to some as Zeke — made a break from his owner’s property in Rutherford County on May 31, leading to a highly unusual and widely followed chase through rural neighborhoods and along major roads, including a brief gallop near Interstate 24.

Residents reported sightings of the striped fugitive in areas such as Epps Mill Road, Rankin Drive, Aldridge Drive, and Cliffside Drive. Drones, search crews, and even a Nashville TV station traffic helicopter joined the hunt, providing updates and assisting in efforts to locate the elusive animal.

The breakthrough came in Christiana, Tennessee, when a team from Texas — the same group that had originally sold Ed — arrived with reinforcements, including a helicopter and a veterinarian. From the air, the team spotted Ed, and the veterinarian tranquilized him with a dart. Once sedated, Ed was safely airlifted from the area, bringing an end to the high-profile saga.

Officials say Ed is in good health and was not harmed during his week of freedom. It remains unclear how the zebra escaped in the first place, but animal control and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency are reportedly reviewing the situation.