A Tennessee town got an unexpected taste of the African savannah when a striped escapee known as “Ed the Zebra” bolted from his enclosure and galloped through highways, neighborhoods, and fields. What followed was a week-long chase full of viral sightings, police wrangling, and a dramatic helicopter airlift of this runaway zebra—yes, really.
A Zebra Trots Through Suburbia
This wasn’t just a loose dog story. On May 31, 2025, in Christiana, Tennessee, Ed the zebra slipped through a gap in a backyard enclosure. From that moment, the black-and-white blur became a fast-moving local legend. His escape turned ordinary roads into runways and backyards into grazing fields. Residents were stunned to spot a full-size zebra strolling through neighborhoods as if on a self-guided tour.
Drivers soon spotted Ed trotting down Interstate 24, weaving between cars. Authorities slowed traffic and rerouted vehicles to keep everyone safe. Ed, meanwhile, stayed calm—he nibbled on grass, jogged around fences, and dodged every capture attempt.
The Runaway Zebra Becomes a Social Media Frenzy
As Ed eluded capture day after day, he gained internet fame. Videos of his striped silhouette gliding across open fields spread quickly. Locals began referring to him as “Tennessee’s Zebra,” and tracking his movements became a full-blown community effort.
Residents shared sighting maps, posted drone footage, and even speculated on where he might show up next. The runaway zebra became the town’s unexpected mascot—half frustrating fugitive, half folk hero.
From Hoofprints to Helicopters
After eight days on the run, officials located Ed grazing peacefully in a rural field. But the terrain made it impossible to corral him the usual way. That’s when the rescue team decided to go airborne…