Dartmoor Zoo welcomes mother-and-daughter zebra duo

Dartmoor Zoo has announced the arrival of two new residents - a mother-and-daughter pair of Grant’s Zebras who have joined the park’s existing male, Hugh.

The newcomers, 11-year-old Olivia and her six-year-old daughter Ruby Tuesday, travelled from Longleat in July.

The pair initially settled into an off-show enclosure to give them time to adjust to their new surroundings and meet their companion, Hugh, who has lived at Dartmoor Zoo since 2018.

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After successful introductions and routine health checks, the three zebras were moved into an on-show enclosure on 6 August. Visitors can now see the trio grazing and bonding together.

Keepers say the zebras have quickly formed a strong relationship.

Registrar Katie Waller said: “The two females are quite cheeky and certainly are trying to ‘rule the roost,’ with Ruby Tuesday - the daughter - being the largest of the pair!”

Grant’s Zebras are listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List and are native to the savannah grasslands of Eastern Africa.

In the wild they face threats including hunting for meat and skin, though conservation areas and zoos, such as Dartmoor, are working to stabilise populations.

Dartmoor Zoo CEO David Gibson said: “We are delighted to welcome mother and daughter Grant’s Zebras Olivia and Ruby Tuesday to Dartmoor Zoo. This follows our male Chapman’s Stallion moving to Newquay Zoo to form a new breeding pair there.”