Helicopter video has captured the dramatic rescue of an escaped pet zebra, ‘Zebra Ed,’ who was successfully located and returned to his owner in Tennessee after an eight-day search. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office announced the safe recovery of the zebra, emphasizing the collaborative effort involving aviation crews and drone technology. The zebra was found in a pasture near Buchanan Estates subdivision and was lifted by a helicopter from a wooded area. The search began after the zebra went missing shortly after arriving in the area on May 30, with officials confirming its safe return after a challenging eight-day operation.
The zebra, initially reported missing by his owner one day after his arrival in Christiana, caused significant disruption by wandering onto a busy Tennessee roadway, forcing lane closures and raising safety concerns. Deputies located the animal near Interstate 24, specifically in a wooded area off Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Epps Mill Road exits. The search involved coordinating traffic control measures and utilizing drone cameras to track the zebra’s movements, ensuring the operation remained safe for both the public and the animal.
Despite the zebra’s escape, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office did not disclose the exact circumstances of how the animal was acquired or where it was being housed at the time. The zebra was last spotted on June 6 in a field near Ridgewood Drive, where deputies used drones to monitor its behavior. Officials emphasized the need to approach the rescue carefully, stating, ‘We don’t want to scare the zebra. We need time to get him to calm down.’ The final rescue operation involved a helicopter lift, highlighting the lengths taken to ensure the animal’s well-being. The sheriff’s office has not announced plans for the zebra’s future, leaving the outcome of its return to its owner uncertain.