A zebra seen sprinting through central Tennessee neighborhoods is finally back home. And no, it's not owned by country sensation Brantley Gilbert.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Authorities in Rutherford County tracked and captured the animal after a week-long search, ending a bizarre and widely shared chapter in local news.
Residents first spotted the zebra near Christiana, about 45 minutes southeast of Nashville. Cellphone videos showed the animal weaving through traffic and trotting near highways, quickly turning it into an internet sensation.
Gilbert Sets Record Straight
Speculation swirled online. Many fans pointed fingers at country music star Brantley Gilbert, known for his offbeat sense of humor, and exotic pets.
Gilbert quickly addressed the rumors in a video posted to social media.
"What's up, everybody? It's Brantley Gilbert here," he said. "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."
He followed up by showing video of the recovered zebra being transported and footage of his own zebra calmly grazing in his backyard.
"You guys are awesome," he added. "No need to worry."
Ed the Zebra Goes Viral
The zebra, affectionately named Ed by social media users, took on a life of his own. Meme creators went wild. A few local musicians wrote parody songs in his honor. One Tennessee baker even crafted a zebra-striped cake to mark the occasion.
What started as a simple case of a loose animal became a digital moment, with Ed at the center of it all.
Gilbert Really Does Own a Zebra
The public confusion wasn't completely unfounded. Earlier this year, Gilbert received a zebra -- and a donkey -- as a prank gift from his friend and manager, Aaron Keiser. Keiser aimed to get even after Gilbert pulled a previous stunt involving peacocks.
Tennessee law allows private citizens to own zebras. The state doesn't require permits for them, which makes encounters like this more plausible than many might assume.
A Look at Gilbert's Career
Gilbert, born January 20, 1985, in Jefferson, Georgia, blends country, rock, and Southern grit. He broke through on Average Joes Entertainment and later signed with Big Machine's Valory imprint. Gilbert's discography includes six studio albums and four No. 1 singles. He also co-wrote two of Jason Aldean's biggest hits: "My Kinda Party" and "Dirt Road Anthem."
Despite the wild rumors, Gilbert's zebra stayed put. But thanks to Ed's great escape, zebra ownership in Tennessee just got a lot more attention.
