Dartmoor Zoo have welcomed a mother and daughter duo of Grant’s Zebras (Equus quagga boehmi) to accompany male resident; Hugh.
Travelling from Longleat, Dartmoor Zoo welcomed a mother and daughter duo of Grant’s Zebras named Olivia (11) and Ruby Tuesday (6) on Wednesday 9th July. The pair have been in an off-show enclosure to enable them some time and space to adjust to the move, as well as meeting their new companion; Hugh, a fellow Grant’s Zebra that has been at Dartmoor Zoo since 2018.
After successful introductions and welfare checks, the trio subsequently moved into the on-show enclosure on Wednesday 6th August where they have been seen bonding and regularly grazing together. Keepers are incredibly pleased at how well they’ve jelled together and are enjoying seeing a new companionship blossom.
Dartmoor Zoo’s Registrar Katie Waller commented: “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!”
Considered ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List, Grant’s Zebras are predominantly found in savannah grasslands of Eastern Africa. They face many threats in the wild such as hunting for their meat and skin, but there are thankfully now many protected conservation areas working with zoos worldwide to stabilise and hopefully raise numbers of this species. Contrary to popular belief, zebras are also black skinned, meaning they are black with white stripes, not white with black stripes!
Dartmoor Zoo’s CEO David Gibson commented: “We’re delighted to welcome mother and daughter Grant Zebra’s 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. Animal moves between zoo’s are vital to make sure we collectively manage the species in our care responsibly.”
With unlimited free visits if you upgrade your Dartmoor Zoo tickets to an annual pass, why not see if you can spot our new stripey trio and begin your year of Dartmoor Zoo, today!
To find out more about Dartmoor Zoo visit www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk
To purchase your annual pass visit https://dartmoorzoo.digitickets.co.uk/tickets
To gift a donation towards Dartmoor Zoo and their conservation work, please visit https://dartmoorzoo.digitickets.co.uk/category/61052?navItem=791764
Photo by Kira Butters, Content Creator