Move over, Tiger King — Zebra King Ed has entered the chat.
After a weeklong tour across Tennessee, a pet zebra named Ed has been captured after escaping his new home in Christiana.
He garnered viral attention after galloping down highways, wandering through backyards, and even casually strutting by a Waffle House.
On Sunday (June 8), Ed was captured by aviation crews and returned home.
“Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office [RCSO] is happy to report Tango 82 aviation crews located Zebra Ed and returned him to his owner Sunday,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement via Facebook.
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Video footage showed the zebra being hoisted up into the air in a net after being found wandering in a pasture near Interstate 24.
“Deputies were on standby for the safety of the residents who live nearby. Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,” the statement added.
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After escaping, the runaway zebra was spotted “wreaking havoc on Interstate 24” near Joe B. Jackson Parkway, RCSO Patrol Lt. Kenneth Barrett confirmed on Facebook at the time.
Legal But… Should It Be?
According to The Tennessean, you can own a zebra without a permit. However, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency pointed out, “just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.”
The Library of Congress says zebras’ “unpredictable nature and tendency to attack preclude them from being good candidates for domestication.”
Final Score:
- Ed: 1
- Fences: 0
- Internet: Charmed
- Tennessee: Forever Changed
Texas Baker’s Amazingly Realistic Animal Cakes
Check out Dusty Sinclair’s amazing cakes, below!
Gallery Credit: Alicia Selin
