Dartmoor Zoo supports zebra conservation with new animal transfers and breeding efforts

To the casual observer, one zebra looks very much like the next.

However, there are in fact three separate species of zebra.

These are Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), plains zebra (E. quagga), and the mountain zebra (E. zebra).

Even within these three distinct species, there are a number of subspecies.

Each has its own distinguishing features including stripe patterns, environmental preferences, and subtleties in diet and behaviour.

There are also differences in how endangered these subspecies are.

For instance, there are seven distinct living subspecies of plains zebra.

These are the maneless zebra, Grant’s zebra, Chapman’s zebra, Crawshay’s zebra, Burchell’s zebra, Quagga, and Selous’ zebra.

As a group, they are regarded by the IUCN as being Near Threatened.

The Quagga, regrettably, is already extinct.

Of these subspecies, there are only two with viable captive populations in the UK.

These are Grant’s zebra (46 in the UK) and Chapman’s zebra (22 in the UK).

Until recently, Dartmoor Zoo had an intact Chapman’s zebra male called Parsley and a gelding (castrated) Grant’s zebra named Hugh.

Breeding zebra is not part of our current plan as we are focused on the breeding of conservation-dependent species of big cat.

Therefore, when we were approached by Newquay Zoo to loan them our male Chapman’s zebra, we were only too happy to help!

Newquay Zoo has a lone female Chapman’s zebra that they wanted to breed from.

We agreed to donate our intact male Parsley to them in the hope that they form a breeding pair and help protect this subspecies.

This meant we needed to find a companion for Hugh, our soon-to-be lone Grant’s zebra.

Luckily, Longleat Safari Park was looking for a new home for a mother and daughter pair and agreed to donate them to us.

Although this won’t be a breeding herd, it will provide three animals with a good home as well as allowing us to talk about the threats to plains zebra.

Moves like these are the lifeblood of the modern zoo.

We all work collaboratively to ensure we provide the very best standards of animal welfare whilst maintaining viable captive populations of wild animals that act as safety nets for the wild populations.

Parsley, the Chapman’s zebra, left Dartmoor Zoo at the end of May and is settling in extremely well with our colleagues in Newquay.

The new pair of Grant’s zebra, Olivia and Ruby Tuesday, will arrive with us in early July.

Just in time to settle in before the busy summer season.

Don’t forget that when you pay for admission to Dartmoor Zoo you can upgrade your ticket, free of charge, to an annual pass.

This allows you to revisit as many times as you like for 12 months.

If you’re a UK taxpayer and sign to say you allow us to claim Gift Aid on your purchase, then we can claim an additional 25p for every £1.

This helps support our vital work conserving the species we look after.