GREVY’S ZEBRAS www.olpejetaconservancy.org

GREVY’S ZEBRAS are the largest of the zebra species. They are only found in Kenya and Ethiopia. Grevy’s are distinguishable by their thinner stripes and white bellies, compared to the plains zebra. They live in herds but are loosely social animals. They are grazers and feed on a range of plants. They are also water dependent so can travel great distances for resources.

THREATS TO GREVY’S ZEBRAS

The Grevy’s zebra is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. In Kenya, populations have declined by over 80% since the late 1970s – there are only approximately 2,000 individuals. Their ranges are found north of the equator. Laikipia County has the highest number of Grevy’s zebras in Kenya, supporting over half of the country’s population. Due to conservation efforts, the Laikipia Grevy’s zebra population appears to be in relatively good demographic health and is expected to remain stable. Grevy’s zebras face a range of threats but hunting for skins in the late 1970s was the likely cause of the initial population decimation. Now, habitat loss and degradation, and competition for food and water, threaten populations.

GREVY’S ZEBRAS AT OL PEJETA

Recovery efforts saw the Grevy’s zebra population at Ol Pejeta grow from 16 in 2011 to 35 in 2017. However, extensive dry periods, gastro- intestinal parasites, and predation led to those numbers dropping by 50%. In 2018, we moved these remaining Grevy’s into a predator-proof enclosure. Since then we have seen 10 births and there are now 24 OL PEJETA Grevy’s zebras at the Conservancy. 24 POPULATION

DID YOU KNOW? ZEBRA TRACKS

A group of zebras is called a ‘dazzle’. It is believed the stripes make it difficult for predators to see an individual when they are in a group.

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