Runaway Zebra Stops Traffic in Tennessee

It's not every day you see a zebra sprinting down a highway — unless you were driving in Tennessee last week. What began as an unexpected pet purchase turned into a viral sensation as one striped fugitive turned heads and halted traffic.

One Wild Weekend

The drama began on May 31, just one day after a couple in Christiana, Tennessee, brought home their new pet zebra. The animal — which quickly earned the nickname "Ed" on social media — escaped within hours, sparking a weeklong chase and plenty of memes along the way.

Witnesses spotted the zebra galloping down residential streets and even darting through traffic on Interstate 24 in Murfreesboro. According to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, the animal's unexpected dash prompted officers to temporarily shut down both sides of the highway for safety, as reported by the New York Post.

Legal — But Not Exactly Typical

As unusual as it sounds, owning a zebra in Tennessee is completely legal. Classified as a Class III animal, zebras fall into the same category as llamas, alpacas, and giraffes — exotic, sure, but not requiring special permits or paperwork in the state, according to USA TODAY.

Ed's adventure unfolded throughout Rutherford County, about 45 miles southeast of Nashville. Locals captured footage of the animal dashing through neighborhoods and green spaces, with each new sighting lighting up TikTok and local news feeds.

The Chase and the Capture

For more than a week, the zebra eluded capture. Deputies, wildlife officers, and highway patrol staff attempted to track the animal, using a drone to monitor sightings. On June 5, Ed was spotted again — and this time, law enforcement had a plan.

After locating the animal in a field in Christiana, officials used a tranquilizer dart to safely subdue it. In a now-viral video, Ed is seen wrapped in netting, with just his head exposed, as a helicopter lifts him into the air and transports him back to a waiting trailer.

The rescue was a group effort involving multiple agencies, including the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Deputies also remained on standby to ensure the safety of nearby residents during the capture.

Why Ed's Story Captivated the Nation

Perhaps it was the absurdity — a zebra in the suburbs — or maybe it was the animal's persistence and sheer speed. Either way, Ed quickly became a social media icon. Users shared memes and tracked his every move. The scene of a zebra trotting alongside speeding cars on the interstate is something you don't soon forget.

Local residents were equal parts amused and concerned. While many laughed at the strangeness of it all, others worried for the animal's safety — and for unsuspecting drivers caught off guard by a striped blur bolting across the road.

The Bigger Picture

Ed's story might have a happy ending, but it also raises questions about exotic pet ownership. Although Tennessee permits people to own zebras, there are no requirements for training, secure enclosures, or emergency plans. In Ed's case, the owners had the zebra for less than 24 hours before it broke loose — and the consequences quickly became public.

As of now, Ed has been returned to his owners and was examined by a veterinarian following his dramatic rescue.

From Viral Star to Cautionary Tale

Ed's escape turned him into an online legend — but it also served as a reminder of how unpredictable and powerful wild animals can be, even those considered legal pets. It took multiple law enforcement agencies, a tranquilizer dart, and a helicopter to safely bring him back.

So next time you see a headline about a runaway animal, don't be too quick to scroll past. It just might be another "Ed" moment — and a lesson in what happens when a little too much freedom meets a lot of horsepower.

References: Pet zebra escapes and brings Tennessee interstate to a standstill | Zebra in Tennessee captured after more than a week on the run: Watch video