CHRISTIANA, Tenn. (WGNS) - Local residents are looking back on a wild piece of Rutherford County history. Exactly one year ago on Sunday, a zebra named Ed broke loose and kicked off a six-day saga that quickly took the nation by storm.
Drivers first spotted the exotic pet galloping along Interstate 24 near the Buchanan Road exit close to Christiana. Within hours, photos and videos of the unusual sight flooded social media, forcing deputies to briefly close sections of the interstate.
Ed's week-long adventure on the run turned into a global phenomenon. People tracked his every move, creating viral memes of him dining at Waffle House, writing songs, and even authoring children's books. News of the Rutherford County zebra spread across four continents.
The great escape finally ended when a specialized search team tracked Ed to a pasture near the Buchanan Estates subdivision. Rescuers safely secured the zebra in a net and airlifted him via helicopter to a waiting animal trailer.
Following the incident in June 2025, owners Taylor and Laura Ford announced they would no longer keep zebras. The family cited the immense stress and difficulty of containing the animals, expressing hope that Ed would be moved to a zoo or wildlife park where professionals could care for him.
