Latest news with #EnvironmentalLiteracyCouncil
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Escaped Zebra Captured, Airlifted After Week on the Loose
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A zebra named Ed has been captured and safely returned home in Rutherford County, Tennessee, after spending a little over a week on the run, according to a press release from the local sheriff's office. Law enforcement officers spotted Ed near a tree line off Interstate 24 in Christiana using a drone and subsequently arranged for his rescue. The zebra, owned by Taylor and Laura Ford, was then airlifted home. Why It Matters Ed's escape rapidly became a viral sensation, sparking debate online about the ethics of keeping exotic animals as pets. Zebras, however, are legal to own in Tennessee and no special permits are required to acquire one, The Tennessean reported. The animals can also be difficult to catch once they escape because of a "strong ducking reflex," according to the Environmental Literacy Council (ELC). Ed the zebra is seen being airlifted on June 8 in Rutherford County, Tennessee, after being on the run for a little over a week. Ed the zebra is seen being airlifted on June 8 in Rutherford County, Tennessee, after being on the run for a little over a week. Rutherford County Sheriff's Office via AP What To Know Ed broke free less than 24 hours after arriving from a Texas breeder at the Fords' home in Christiana, Newsweek previously reported. The zebra escaped on May 31, and was soon seen sprinting along highways and hiding in wooded regions south of Nashville, according to a Facebook post from the Rutherford County's Sheriff's Office. Numerous videos shared across social media showed close calls between motorists and Ed as he ran alongside the road. Doorbell cams also captured the zebra wandering through neighborhoods. Ed quickly became a local celebrity, with memes and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images circulating throughout social media. Business owners and Murfreesboro residents actively took part in the phenomenon. Stuart Irby, a barber, told local News Channel 5, that "everybody's just getting a hoot out of it, here in Murfreesboro." As Ed remained elusive, Rutherford County Sheriff's deputies employed drones to monitor his whereabouts. Officials worked to minimize stress on the animal throughout the search process, the sheriff's office said. After many days of surveillance and multiple sightings in wooded and residential areas, Ed was finally located and carefully tranquilized with a veterinarian's help before being airlifted to safety. The sheriff's office repeatedly urged the public to avoid interfering with the search on social media. Celebrity Zebra Ed rescued safelyRutherford County Sheriff's Office is happy to report Tango 82 aviation crews located Zebra Ed and returned him to... What People Are Saying The Ford Family, Ed's owners, told CBS News: "Through viral posts, news coverage, and thousands of messages, he became known as Ed the Zebra. And now, he will be forever known as Ed—a symbol of joy, laughter, and unity." Local resident Kathy Dunn told local television station WSMV: "Everybody knows about the zebra, everywhere. I had a man this morning, one of the drivers, he's from out of state, and he saw it on the news." ELC said in a website about zebras: "...Zebras are more aggressive and dangerous than horses. They can bite and kick and are not typically suitable for domestication. Zebras are difficult to domesticate due to their aggressive nature, lack of a family structure, and a strong ducking reflex that prevents easy capture." What Happens Next? Authorities have returned Ed to his owners, and his health will be monitored by a veterinarian. Local officials, animal welfare advocates, and policymakers could face renewed scrutiny regarding laws that permit the private ownership of exotic animals like zebras in Tennessee.
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Colorado Rancher Talks All About Her First 'They/Them Baby Lamb'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A sixth-generation rancher in Colorado was left speechless after a "first" for her occurred with the animals on the ranch. Elena, known on TikTok as @cactushillfarm, shared in a March 31 video the unbelievable surprise she discovered while caring for a new animal at the Cactus Hill Farm: her first "they/them baby lamb." About a day after the baby was born, she realized the lamb was intersex, which means an animal has both male and female reproductive organs. She uses pronouns they and them for the lamb. The surprise stunned her, as she had never seen this happen on her ranch, but she read about the rare possibility of intersex animals, which stands at about 5 percent, according to an article from the Environmental Literacy Council. Amazed by the biology happening on her ranch, Elena told Newsweek via text: "It's so cool that we still have so much to learn about our complexity and the complexity of the natural world." But before she could marvel at the rarity, she focused on getting the baby lamb healthy, as they gave her a bit of a scare right after birth. "They were actually pretty weak when it was born," she said. "I went out to check and found the baby with a little hypothermia." Elena brought the baby, which she originally thought was a boy, into her home to warm the newcomer up by the fire. The baby also experienced a bad eye infection and pneumonia. Then worry crept in about whether the mother lamb would want the baby back. Thankfully, the worrying was all for naught. The mother gladly welcomed the baby back into her care. "Mama is really a top-notch mom," she said. "She knows her baby is a little slow, so she's made extra effort to keep an eye on them." Screenshots from a March 31 TikTok video of a rancher stunned by her first experience of having an intersex lamb born under her care. Screenshots from a March 31 TikTok video of a rancher stunned by her first experience of having an intersex lamb born under her care. @cactushillfarm/TikTok Elena believes the baby is doing well now, and she's thankful the mother has been supportive. But she noted that the baby is "not quite developed" and tends to pee on itself. She imagines that it will be an issue as the baby's wool grows. In the meantime, she's dedicated to giving this baby everything they need to live "their best life out on organic pasture and feed." 'It's Perfect' As of Friday, the video amassed over 1.5 million views, 226,400 likes and 3,649 comments on TikTok. "I hope it's healthy and happy. Stuff happens. I think it's miraculous stuff doesn't happen more often," said one viewer. Another added: "Mom is like, 'Don't judge my baby, it's perfect." A third person wrote: "I bet the moma loves them just the way they are too!" Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
