Zebras, known for their bold striped patterns, are a common sight on safaris. Not only do zebra stripes help identify individual animals, but they also allow us to distinguish between different species. From the widely seen plains zebra to the endangered Grevy’s zebra and the vulnerable mountain zebra, it’s essential to learn about the various zebra species and subspecies and their conservation status.
Different species and subspecies
Plains zebra
The plains zebra is the most common and widespread zebra species, ranging from South Africa to Ethiopia (1). It has stripes that go under its belly and has ‘shadow stripes’ (paler, narrower stripes) between its dark stripes. Across its range are six plains zebra subspecies, showing increased body size and reduced stripes towards the south.
Grevy's zebra
The Grevy’s zebra is the most endangered in Kenya, with a few small populations in Ethiopia (2). Its distinguished appearance is due to its larger size, thinner stripes, and big ears.
Mountain zebra
The mountain zebras are smaller than the other species and have broader stripes that continue down their legs. Different to the plains zebra, they have a white tummy. The mountain zebra consists of two subspecies: the Hartmann’s mountain zebra (3), only found in Namibia and bordering areas of South Africa and Angola, and the Cape mountain zebra (4), which is endemic to the Cape floristic region.
Conservation status and threats
Plains zebra
The Plains zebra is currently listed as near threatened. (1). While it is common and widely spread, with an estimated 200,000 animals, like many other large herbivores in Africa, their populations are declining due to reduced habitat availability and quality. All zebra species are water-dependent, and fences often restrict their ability to migrate to find water. Zebras are frequently hunted for their skins, as well as for bushmeat and cultural or medicinal purposes are usually hunted for their skins, as well as for bushmeat and cultural or medicinal purposes.
Grevy's zebra
The Grevy’s zebra is endangered, with about 2,000 individuals left (2). It has suffered significant population declines due to habitat loss and degradation, mainly due to livestock grazing. They are experiencing decreased access to water because of competition with livestock and diminished river flow due to irrigation practices. A mere fraction of the remaining Grevy’s zebra population resides on protected land. Therefore, anticipated land conversion in unprotected areas threatens their numbers shortly.
Hartmann's mountain zebra
With around 33,000 individuals left, Hartmann’s mountain zebra is listed as vulnerable, with drought as its main threat (3). During the 1980-82 drought, the Hartmann’s mountain zebra declined significantly. So, while these subspecies’ populations have been increasing over the last few years, the likelihood of future drought makes this species vulnerable.
Conservation initiatives
Grevy's zebra
As most Grevy’s zebras are found on communal land, the Grevy’s Zebra Trust has incorporated the community into conservation initiatives through education, employment opportunities, and various community upliftment projects. (5). They have employed community members in Northern Kenya to monitor zebras and protect them against poaching. They have launched projects to improve grazeland quality for both zebra and livestock. During extreme drought conditions, they have provided supplementary feeding and constructed water points for wildlife.
Hartmann's mountain zebra
In Namibia, Hartmann’s mountain zebra conservation projects aim to create large, unfenced areas with suitable habitats (3) to increase their resilience to drought, including conservancies in the Kunene region, the Greater Fish River Canyon conservation area, and the Greater Namib Sossusflei Landscape scheme.
Cape mountain zebra
In the 1950s, hunting and agricultural expansion reduced the Cape Mountain zebra population to fewer than 80 individuals in three subpopulations (4). Since then, their numbers have grown, and several subpopulations have been reintroduced to national parks, nature reserves, and private lands across their former range (4, 6). The 2018 Biodiversity Management Plan for the Cape Mountain Zebra included strategies such as DNA sampling and testing prior to zebra translocations to ensure the species’ genetic diversity and purity. (7).
Conclusion
Conservation efforts have managed to bring the Cape mountain zebra back from the brink of extinction, increase Hartmann’s mountain zebra populations, and stabilise Grevy’s zebra populations. We hope that future conservation work will continue to protect these beautiful animals. You can support zebra conservation by visiting conservation areas where they are.
