Brantley Gilbert is not the owner of the runaway pet zebra that managed to dodge searchers for more than a week before his capture on Sunday (June 8).
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office posted a video on Facebook on Sunday and confirmed that “Celebrity Zebra Ed (was) rescued safely.” Ed arrived in Christiana, Tennessee, an unincorporated community in Rutherford County, outside of Nashville, on May 30. Zebra Ed’s owner reported him missing the following day, and he’s since become “an international sensation,” according to the sheriff’s office. “Drivers on Interstate 24 watched him scampering across the highways in both the eastbound and westbound lanes Saturday. He escaped into a wooded area and disappeared until being spotted Thursday.
Aviation crews located Zebra Ed, who “was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,” the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Gilbert shared a video of Zebra Ed’s viral rescue that appeared on News Channel 5, Nashville’s CBS affiliate. He said in a message to his social media followers after that news clip: “What’s up, everybody? It’s Brantley Gilbert here. Folks in Nashville, thank y’all so much for all the concern, and all the thoughts and prayers, but no need to be concerned anymore. The zebra is home safe and sound. You guys are awesome. No need to worry. Zebra’s good.”
“Appreciate the concern about my zebra… No need to worry, he’s home safe… But glad Ed the Zebra has found his way home! 🦓,” Gilbert added in his caption on Instagram.
Earlier this year, the “Country Must Be Country Wide” artist shared a video of the moment he received two new animals, a donkey and a zebra. It was an unusual form of “revenge” from a friend, who said it was “revenge for some peacocks.” Gilbert said in that clip, “I’m staring at a donkey and a zebra, bro. …Hey Aaron, what the hell am I gonna do with a donkey and a zebra?”
Watch Gilbert’s reaction to Zebra Ed’s rescue here: