Christiana, Tennessee – Celebrity zebra Ed was safely rescued and returned to his owner on Sunday.

Tango 82 aviation crews from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office located Ed in a pasture near the Buchanan Estates subdivision, close to Interstate 24.

Sheriff’s deputies coordinated with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to manage the situation.

Deputies remained on standby to ensure the safety of nearby residents.

Ed was airlifted by helicopter and flown to a waiting animal trailer.

The zebra became an international sensation after appearing in viral social media memes.

He had arrived in Christiana on May 30 and was reported missing the following day.

On Saturday, drivers on Interstate 24 were shocked to see him running across both eastbound and westbound lanes.

Ed then vanished into a wooded area and was not seen again until Thursday.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to THP and TWRA for their help in the successful rescue.

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