Horn of Africa Conservation Center

Saving Hooves

The Saint Louis Zoo has had a long commitment to the captive and field conservation of all wild equids and antelopes. The unique wild equids of the Horn of Africa, including the endangered Grevy's zebra and its close relative, the critically endangered Somali Wild Ass, as well as the wild antelopes, Speke's gazelle and mountain nyala, are chief concerns of the Zoo's conservation activities and support. Read about Conserving the Speke's Gazelle and Saving the Mountain Nyala. The Grevy's zebra conservation program is described below.

One-of-a-kind Zebra

With its big head, large ears, narrow stripes, and thick, erect mane, the Grevy's Zebra is perhaps the most distinctive of the three kinds of zebra (Grevy’s, plains, and mountain). It’s also the largest of the wild equid species – growing up to nine feet long, and standing over five feet at the shoulder.

Disappearing Stripes

Unlike the plentiful plains zebras, the Grevy's zebra is endangered. Once, Grevy’s zebra could be found in Ethiopia, Somalia and northern Kenya. In the last 30 years, the number of wild Grevy’s zebra has dropped sharply, from 15,000 to fewer than 2,200, and today the species is considered extinct in Somalia.

What's happened to the Grevy's zebra? In the past, big game hunting was the main problem: Until the mid-1970s, there was an international market for their skins. The fine and intricate patterns were highly sought after for rugs, coats and handbags. Fortunately, a hunting ban in 1977 significantly reduced this trade.

Today, the biggest problems facing Grevy’s zebra are habitat loss and competition for water and food. The animals are being crowded out of their grazing habitat by livestock. What's more, irrigation for farming is draining water from their land, and they are competing for water with livestock at waterholes, both of which are leaving them with less to drink. The Grevy’s zebra’s range is now severely limited – to the northernmost scrublands in Kenya, and to three small isolated sub-populations in Ethiopia.

Saving Stripes in Africa

The Saint Louis Zoo has supported multiple research and conservation projects on behalf of the Grevy’s zebra and its habitat. These projects include: producing the most recent and accurate censuses of wild Grevy's zebra in both Kenya and Ethiopia; investigating the causes for the serious decline of this species within its range; and establishing long-term conservation and community education programs to promote the protection and preservation of this rare zebra in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Saving Stripes at the Zoo

Like many species facing an uncertain future in the wild, the Grevy’s zebra is being bred in zoos in accordance with a Species Survival Plan (SSP) – an effort to ensure the species’ future and preserve its genetic diversity. Today over 600 Grevy’s zebra are successfully managed and are reproducing well in zoos and private facilities around the world. The Saint Louis Zoo is proud to manage the SSP for Grevy’s zebras.

With luck, the combination of captive breeding programs and field conservation efforts will save this beautiful animal before it becomes extinct in the wild.

Partners

Grevy's Zebra Trust
Northern Rangelands Trust
Kenya Wildlife Service
Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Department
IUCN Equid Specialist Group
AZA Equid Advisory Group
AZA Grevy’s Zebra SSP
Princeton University
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy