Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Ed the Zebra: Tennessee’s Striped Superstar Takes a Bow

CBS and others shared footage of Ed's capture.
After a week of galloping through Tennessee like he was auditioning for a Hollywood blockbuster, Ed the runaway zebra has finally been caught. The four-legged fugitive, who turned Rutherford County into his personal safari, was nabbed on June 8, 2025, and airlifted back to reality in a helicopter rescue that deserves its own Oscar for drama.

Recommended soundtrack for this film, should it materialize: "Tennessee Stud."

Ed kicked off his adventure by slipping out of his owner’s grasp just hours after arriving from Texas. He seems to have been spotted everywhere—sprinting down Interstate 24, photobombing neighborhood Ring cameras, and no doubt inspiring a few “zebra crossing” jokes. As one X user put it, Ed was “living his best life,” oblivious to the chaos he caused. Another user suggested he’s ready for a sequel, predicting, “I’m positive he’ll do it again.”  


The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, armed with drones, trail cameras, and a K-9 unit, chased the striped celebrity speedster for 5+ days. Tranquilizers were useless against Ed’s thick skin. This zebra wasn’t going down without a fight.


On Sunday, Ed was finally cornered in a pasture near Buchanan Estates, where he was netted like a scene from Jurassic Park. Then, in a plot twist nobody saw coming, Ed was airlifted out by helicopter.


X users have had a field day with Ed’s escapade. One called it a “trip to follow,” declaring Tennessee “better for this experience.” Another suggested recruiting Ed for some kind of animal Avengers team, because who wouldn’t want this legend on their squad? As one might expect, there were plenty of memes. Ed’s adventure sparked an internet frenzy, with AI-generated images and enough social media buzz to make any influencer jealous. One image has Ed wearing a cardboard sign, "Homeless. Anything Helps."  Another has him eating breakfast at a Waffle House. 

Local businesses are incorporating him into their advertisements. One has him at a local chiropractor's clinic. Another at a hair salon.

One newscaster suggested his story might make a good children's book some day. 


So, here’s to Ed, the zebra who turned Tennessee into his playground and reminded us all to run wild while we can. He’s back with his owner now, probably munching hay and plotting his next great escape. 


As one X user wisely noted, “Let’s all be a little like ED!” Or as another wrote, "Go, Ed, go!" 


Sources: CBS News, X posts

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