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A runaway pet zebra has been reunited with its owner following an eight-day search in Tennessee.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office shared on Facebook that “celebrity Zebra Ed” was successfully “rescued safely.”
Officials wrote, “The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that Tango 82 aviation crews found Zebra Ed and returned him to his owner on Sunday.”
The zebra had been located near Interstate 24 “in a pasture close to the Buchanan Estates neighborhood,” according to the sheriff’s office.
ESCAPED ZEBRA SPOTTED ON VIDEO RUNNING ALONG BUSY TENNESSEE ROADWAY, FORCING LANE CLOSURES
Footage shows the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office using a helicopter to rescue “celebrity Zebra Ed” from a wooded area near an interstate in Tennessee after being on the run for 8 days. (Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office)
Rescue videos depict “Zebra Ed” being hoisted by a helicopter from a forested area.
“Zebra Ed” first arrived in Christiana on May 30, and his owner reported him missing the next day.
The sheriff’s office did not provide details about how the owners acquired the zebra or its living situation at the time of the escape.
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“Zebra Ed” dashing along the highway during its eight-day adventure. (Danielle Pitre/TMX)
Deputies reported that Zebra Ed fled into a wooded area off Interstate 24, where onlookers saw him “causing chaos” between Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Epps Mill Road exits.
Deputy Ryan Keach found the zebra by the interstate and temporarily closed one lane for safety on May 31, according to the sheriff’s office.
“After the zebra crossed the interstate, deputies shut down both the eastbound lanes toward Chattanooga and the westbound lanes toward Nashville,” the agency stated.
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A zebra was loose in Tennessee after escaping from its owners over the weekend, authorities stated. (Danielle Pitre/TMX)
Officials noted that “Zebra Ed” was not seen again for several days following the sighting on May 31.
Before the rescue operation on Sunday, Ed was spotted again on Friday, June 6, in a field near Ridgewood Drive in Christiana. The sheriff’s office reported that deputies located him using a drone and were coordinating with a veterinarian for a safe rescue.
“We don’t want to startle the zebra,” RCSO Cpl. Sean White mentioned. “We need to give him time to settle down.”
The sheriff’s office has not revealed the plans for “Zebra Ed” moving forward.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano and Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a journalist for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, covering topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
