Protect Grevy's Zebra
Grevy’s Zebra is the largest and most endangered of zebras in the world.
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Grevy's Zebras have about 80 black and white stripes.
Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi) is also known as the Imperial Zebra. Together with other zebras, horses and donkeys, it belongs to the large family of Equidae. It is the largest and most endangered of the three species of zebras. Since the 1970s, its population has declined from 15 000 to 3 000 individuals. According to the IUCN, Grevy’s Zebra is considered endangered.
Did you know… in the Samburu language, this zebra is called loiborkoram?
Herd of zebras. Source: Wikipedia
Grevy’s Zebra is the largest of all wild equidae. It measures 4.8 - 5.2 ft at shoulder height, the body is 8.2 - 9.0 ft long and the tail measures 22 - 30 inches. It weighs 770 - 990 lb. Sexual dimorphism is manifested by stallions being 10 % larger than mares.
Grevy’s Zebras live to be 20 to 25 years old in the wild. They live 25 to 30 years in captivity.
Size of Grevy’s Zebra compared to human. Source: viaGood
Did you know… Grevy's Zebras have about 80 black and white stripes?
This zebra has a large head, a massive neck, an upright thick mane and large rounded ears. Overall, the body structure is similar to that of a donkey and is adapted to rapid movement under difficult conditions. It can run at a speed of up to 40 mph. The thick black-brown / black stripes are striking, covering the body down to the hooves. The belly is white. Each zebra has a unique stripe pattern, like a human fingerprint. A foal grows a mane across the entire back to the root of the tail.
Zebra stripes provide much-needed camouflage in savanna. Source: Wikipedia
Did you know… newborn foals can stand up after 6 minutes, walk after 20 minutes and run after 40-60 minutes!
Grevy’s Zebra has very good eyesight by day and night. It has binocular vision and probably sees colors. Grevy’s Zebra also has excellent hearing and can detect sounds at great distances. It also has a very sharp perception of taste and can detect even slight changes in food quality.
Grevy’s Zebras show relatively unusual social behavior. They are free social animals. The herd may consist of 14 individuals, but the composition can change hourly, as new members join and old ones leave. The two most stable social ties of Grevy's Zebras are the stallion's attachment to his territory and the mare's bond to her young.
Did you know... the voice of Grevy’s Zebra is more like a donkey's bray than the growl of other species of zebras?
Zebra foal resting. Source: Unsplash
This species is well adapted to life in dry and semi-dry pastures, with the possibility of sheltering in the shade of trees, where they eat grass, herbs, fruits, leaves and also bark. About 60 % of the day is spent in eating. Grevy’s Zebras can often be found in the company of other animals, such as wildebeests, ostriches and antelopes.
Unlike plains zebras, who require habitats with plenty of water, and wild donkeys who need almost none, the needs of Grevy’s Zebra are somewhere in between. This species has been documented to last up to 5 days without drinking water.
This is the northernmost living zebra and can be found in Northern Kenya and several small areas of Southern Ethiopia. Historically, Grevy’s Zebras lived in East Africa in Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Kenya. They occur at an altitude of 984.25 - 1968.50 ft and their territory extends over 1 - 7 miles². These zebras are less tolerant of cold, but on the other hand are less dependent on water than other types of zebras.
Distribution of Grevy's Zebra. Source: viaGood
Did you know… the Grevy’s Zebra was named after King Jules Grevy of France, who received one in 1882 as a gift from the King of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia)?
You have surely wondered why people have never used zebras like horses or mules. The personality of the zebra is the reason. Its "untrainable" behavior may be the result of evolution. Due to the fact that zebras naturally live in large groups in an environment full of predators, they have a strong survival instinct and are thus significantly less friendly to humans than their horse or donkey cousins.
Since the 1970s, Grevy’s Zebras have declined from 15 000 to 3 000.
Grevy’s Zebra has undergone one of the most significant reductions in numbers of any African mammal. Historically, it roamed throughout the Horn of Africa. Today it occurs only in Northern Kenya and in a few small areas of Southern Ethiopia. In Somalia, for example, it is already extinct. It is one of the most endangered large African mammals. The Grevy’s Zebra population has declined from 15 000 to 3 000 since the 1970s.
Poaching and Bushmeat A few years ago, there was a large increase in poaching, especially in Northern Kenya. The increased demand for the beautiful striped leather of Grevy's Zebra, which is used in the manufacture of handbags, purses, carpets, curtains and even clothing, is to blame. Poachers also hunt zebras as a source of livelihood – for what is called bushmeat (the meat of African wild animals as food).
Habitat Degradation and Reduction of Water Sources Other major threats facing Grevy's Zebras are the loss of suitable habitats as well as sources of water. In the first case, it is the transformation of the natural savannah into pasture and the related food competition of man-reared cattle. In the second case, it is a consequence of the drainage of water from rivers for the purpose of irrigating newly emerging agricultural areas.
Human Population Explosion and Cattle Breeding In Kenya alone, the human population grew from less than 3 million to 40 million during the 20th century. More people means less space for wild animals. The zebra population suffers from fierce competition for food with other grazing animals. It also competes for resources with cattle and livestock.
Diseases With cattle breeding come new threats in the form of new diseases that these animals transmit. Encountering new diseases is decimating for wildlife populations.
Infrastructure Development across the Country With the expansion of agriculture and human activities, there is also the expansion of roads and railways, which changes the character of the landscape and either does not allow wild animals to move freely around their territory or puts them at risk.
One of the solutions to save animals is the development of Ecotourism.
To understand the vital needs of these zebras, research and monitoring on the ground are needed. What else can be done to save this species?
Community Support and Development of Ecotourism The development of Ecotourism supports new job opportunities. For locals, it is a source of new income and a reason to preserve as much of the original natural flora and fauna as possible, including the diversity of species, not only the most endangered.
Educational Support Education can be the key to saving Grevy's Zebra. Many young boys and girls from communities in Northern Kenya cannot go to school. Better education can mean a different outlook, a change of mindset and a greater effort to preserve natural resources.
Support for Research and Monitoring It is necessary to estimate the actual number of zebra populations. Technological advances in the form of digital photography and software for identifying individuals based on zebra strip comparisons can assist volunteers.
Habitat Restoration It is necessary to obtain as much information as possible about traditional livestock farming and to address the root causes of pasture degradation. It is important to plan livestock farming well, to set aside areas for grazing in dry and wet periods, to provide time for grass regeneration and to eradicate invasive species. By replanting open spaces, livestock can also be turned into a great ecological tool.
Everyone can get involved!
**Disseminate information ** Become the voice of Grevy's Zebra. Tell its story to your friends, family and on social media. By spreading information, you can reach more people who can get involved in helping.
Watch what you buy Avoid animal skin products. Demand is supported by illegal hunting of these animals.
