The Grévy's zebra is the largest of all wild equines, and is found only on the continent of Africa in Kenya and Ethiopia. Having alarmingly disappeared from much of its previous range, including Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Sudan, it is now less common than even the rhino! The Grévy's zebra population has declined drastically since the 1970’s, from 15,000 individuals to under 3,000 today.
Sadly, along with many treasured species of African wildlife, there are a variety of pressures to their survival and many of which are caused by humans. For the Grévy's zebra, a major factor in their decline has been the reduction of their former range, a threat that continues today as they suffer further habitat destruction.
They compete for space, food and water with other grazing species and by human encroachment into grazing habitats, changing grasslands to agricultural use. According to the Grévy's Zebra Trust, the increasing scarcity of water resources has caused a higher rate of foal mortality.
As with so many other African species, poaching is also a major factor in population decline. Grévy's zebra are hunted for their skins and food, which is the main pressure to their survival in Ethiopia. Disease outbreaks such as anthrax have also increased mortality and this risk is compounded by fragmented populations who become more genetically isolated.
The Grévy's Zebra Trust was created in 2007 to conserve the population in northern Kenya. They work across more than 10,000km2 alongside the local communities to tackle threats to Grévy's zebra through a comprehensive range of projects. These include community partnerships and education, patrols, research, community-based monitoring, regenerating healthy rangelands and water management, amongst others.
The Grévy's Zebra Trust believes that healthy lands are critical to the survival of the Grévy's zebra and therefore focuses on the protection and regeneration of rangelands. It is essential that this is done in partnership with local communities, so they have fostered excellent relationships with pastoralist communities and employ local people as part of their monitoring and scouting programs (over 90% of the team are from communities who live alongside Grévy's zebra).
Restorative grazing programmes aim to combat habitat degradation by using livestock hooves to break up and aerate soil, allowing it to absorb water when the rains come, rather than losing it as run off. They also plan grazing cycles with local communities so that land has sufficient time to regenerate after grazing, meaning that vegetation can regrow fully rather than suffer constant grazing in the same areas.
The GZT also provide further support to local pastoral communities in the interest of conservation of zebra by:
In addition, the African Wildlife Foundation is working with the Kenya Wildlife Service to fit Grévy's zebra with GPS tracking collars in Buffalo Springs National Reserve, allowing them to be monitored to research their movement patterns. This data can then be used to protect the vital rangelands and create protected wildlife corridors.
They also engage wildlife scouts who provide protection of wildlife in Reserves and National Parks, which in turn leads to employment for local people and lower reliance on natural resources such as hunting wildlife to survive.
In Kenya a safari incorporating the Laikipia region or northern Samburu, will offer good chances of sighting these beautiful creatures. The phenomenal Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy is a private reserve taken on an exclusive basis which has protected 58,000 acres of pristine wildlife habitat for generations.
At the famous Lewa-Borana Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya, you can also actively participate in their invaluable wildlife conservation efforts. On a special conservation safari you can be part of the ranger team helping to track, locate and count game species for the annual wildlife census.
Borana Conservancy has some wonderful private villa options making this the perfect destination for an exclusive family safari where you have the freedom and flexibility to do exactly as you please, without having to fit in with other guests! My favourite private villas here are Laragai House and Lengishu House.
Lewa House, Lewa Wilderness, Sirikoi, Sasaab and Laikipia Wilderness are also wonderful places to stay, each offering something different but all allowing you to get close-up viewings of Grévy's zebra.
Alternatively, you can spend time in Ethiopia, one of Africa’s most compelling and interesting countries. Totally different to many other of Africa’s safari destinations, from the Blue Nile to the dramatic Gheralta Mountains, the arid Danakil Depression and the Omo Valley, the landscapes are astounding and varied.
Ethiopia's wildlife is also diverse, from savannah animals in the east to unique indigenous creatures like the gelada baboon and Ethiopian wolf.
A few days at Halledeghe, which explores the vast grassland plains by the Afar lands from a mobile camp, would yield uncommon wildlife and outstanding birdlife including Beisa oryx, Grévy's zebra, hyaena, lesser kudu, jackals, Somali ostrich and warthogs, even lion, leopard aardvark and occasionally cheetah.
The magic of Ethiopia must also be the fascinating people with their unique ancient traditions. Nowhere in the world is as well endowed with traditional and tribal cultures than Ethiopia. This is a medieval world, with Christian beliefs and practices little changed in thousands of years.
If you wish to make a philanthropic donation on International Zebra Day to help fund the conservation of zebra, please do get in touch. We’d also be delighted to discuss the best ways to see Grévy's zebra and other unique endangered wildlife in the wild, which in turn supports local conservation efforts. OR, if you would just like to dream for now, you can do so by visiting our Video Library.
Images by kind courtesy of:
Tropic Air, Tropic Air and Richard Roberts, Lengishu House, Ol Jogi and Durston Saylor, Ol Jogi and Jamie Gaymer.
2020 has been a year unlike any other. Our charitable partners have lost all their tourism-generated income whilst simultaneously supporting increasing conservation and community needs. Here is an update on how they have fared and how jointly, with your generous donations and our philanthropy fund, we have directly helped them during the year. We again ask that you consider supporting them further during this challenging period. You would be amazed at what a relatively small amount can achieve! Together we can make such a difference!
With the world so much more aware of the disastrous effects of carbon emissions, particularly after the vast differences that were evidenced around the world during various lock-downs, I know that many people are reconsidering how they will travel in the future.
In 2021, more than ever, let us ensure we maximise our precious time with family and friends, where we can explore the magical and wild parts of the world and experience new wonders.
