Ed the Zebra has been filmed flying high as he was airlifted back to his owners in Tennessee after spending more than a week on the run and dodging police by diving into a wood
A runaway pet zebra who gave motorists a shock by darting amidst traffic has now been caught in dramatic video in an airlift back to his owners after more than a week on the run.
Ed the Zebra became an internet star as he evaded attempts by police in Tennessee to recapture him by bolting into woods, but his bid for freedom came to an end on Sunday when he was finally recaptured, said authorities. A video shared by cops on social media showed Ed wrapped in a net with his head sticking out the top as he was carried by a helicopter to a trailer.
Ed the Zebra flying high (Image: AP)
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the zebra was captured safely by an aviation crew after being located in a pasture near a subdivision in the Christiana community in central Tennessee. “Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Ed had arrived in Christiana on May 30, the sheriff’s office said and his owner had reported him missing the next day. The zebra was spotted and filmed running along Interstate 24, forcing deputies to shut the roadway but on that occasion he gave police the slip by heading into woodland.
Ed was seen making his way through neighbourhoods(Image: Jam Press/Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office)
There were several sightings posted to social media of the striped animal and Ed was filmed trotting through a neighbourhood. The zebra quickly became the subject of internet memes. One fake posting showed Ed dining at a Waffle House, a southern staple. Others had him visiting other Tennessee cities or panhandling on the side of the road.
The full statement by authorities following his recapture read: “Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is happy to report Tango 82 aviation crews located Zebra Ed and returned him to his owner Sunday.
The zebra was seen several times during a week on the run(Image: Jam Press)
“Ed was located in a pasture located near the Buchanan Estates subdivision near Interstate 24. Sheriff’s deputies established command with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Sunday morning.
“Deputies were on standby for safety of the residents who live nearby. Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer. He became an international sensation through social media memes throughout the country. The zebra originally arrived in Christiana May 30. His owner reported him missing the next day.
The zebra while on the run(Image: Jam Press)
“Drivers on Interstate 24 watched him scampering across the highways in both the eastbound and westbound lanes Saturday. He escaped into a wooded area and disappeared until being spotted Thursday. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the THP and TWRA for their assistance in the successful rescue.”
The pursuit of Ed came a month after a kangaroo named Sheila shut down a stretch of motorway in Alabama before state troopers and the animal’s owner wrangled the wayward marsupial.
Ed was airlifted to a trailer and return to his owner(Image: Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office)
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the kangaroo was spotted hopping along the side of Interstate 85 in Macon County, which is between Montgomery and Auburn. The sight snarled traffic, and state troopers shut down both sides of the road.
The animal’s owner and troopers were able to capture her, Capt Jeremy J Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. “When somebody said there was a kangaroo of course I didn’t believe it, and nobody believed it. But I’m looking at him.”