Murfreesboro, TN - The world watched, breath held, as Ed the Zebra defied all odds. The striped sensation made a daring dash across Interstate 24, weaving between traffic like a fugitive with nothing to lose. Helicopters soared overhead, pilots locked in a high-stakes game of catch that zebra! After days of eluding authorities, Ed finally surrendered (or perhaps grew tired of the chase?). Tango 82 aviation crews, working alongside the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, executed a precision airlift rescue, transporting Ed from a pasture near Buchanan Estates subdivision back to safety. Scroll down for video. 

How the zebra was captured - Ed the zebra was finally caught Sunday morning (6/8/2025) in a dramatic aerial operation. No tranquilizers were used. A specialized helicopter crew deployed from Texas was called in after ground efforts to contain Ed proved unsuccessful. A large net was dropped over the zebra from the chopper. The team then secured the zebra without the use of tranquilizers. Once restrained, Ed was strapped in and airlifted to a designated location, where veterinarians evaluated his condition after 8 days on the run.

Lightning Fast Escape Artist - His owner, stunned by the zebra’s lightning-fast escape, reported him missing just a day after his arrival on Thursday night, May 30th. Then came the sightings: commuters gasped as Ed galloped across both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-24, narrowly avoiding disaster. After disappearing into the wooded abyss, he resurfaced Thursday (6/5/2025), setting off a rescue mission worthy of a Hollywood thriller.

But let’s talk logistics. Catching a runaway zebra isn’t for the faint of heart. Zebras are untamed warriors of speed and stubbornness, hitting 40 mph with ease and dodging capture like seasoned escape artists. Add to that their aggressive tendencies (they bite, they kick, they refuse to be saddled), and it’s clear why authorities needed air support to bring this striped roague runner home.

Ed Became A Social Media Superstar - Ed’s newfound internet celebrity status has sparked curiosity—can you legally own a zebra in Tennessee? Surprisingly, yes. No special permits are required, making zebra ownership as straightforward as purchasing an exotic pet from breeders or online marketplaces. But it comes at a price—expect to shell out between $3,000 to $10,000 for one of these striped speedsters.

Now, with Ed safely back in the hands of his owner, one question lingers in the air—is the world ready for "Ed: The Movie?"