• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Care
    • News
    • Fun
    • Heartwarming
    • Videos
    • Rescue
    • Horse Fun
    • Tips For Riders
    • Fun Facts
    • Stories
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Amazing

    Zebra Gives Birth To A Rare 'Zonkey' After Mating With A Donkey

    Modified: Apr 28, 2020 by Amber King · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Is it a zebra? A donkey? Nope! One of the newest additions at this African reserve is a zonkey! Sheldrick Wildlife Trust made the amazing discovery of this incredibly rare animal this week. The week's-old baby was seen with its mother, and its birth has an interesting story.

    https://www.facebook.com/SheldrickTrust/photos/pcb.10158201719689889/10158201713639889/?type=3&theater

    Facebook

    Last year, a curious and friendly female zebra ventured outside her previous home within the Tsavo East National Park. She wandered into a nearby community, and it didn't take her long to make new friends. The zebra didn't exactly blend in, but that didn't stop her from joining a herd of livestock living at a nearby farm. 

    For weeks, the zebra made herself at home on the farm. Eventually, news crews caught wind of the interesting story. The sociable zebra became somewhat of a local celebrity, but it also became clear she couldn't stay on the farm. After weeks of living on the farm, the zebra couldn't return back to her previous life. Wildlife officials thought of a solution and relocated her to the Kenze Anti-Poaching Team's base in Chyulu National Park.

    Proving her ability to adapt, the zebra adjusted well to her new home and seemed to live happily in the bush. The Kenze team saw her frequently during their rounds, and a few days ago, they got an incredible surprise.

    While working on fence maintenance, park workers spotted the famous zebra once again. But this time, she wasn't alone. She was grazing in the bush with a brand new foal by her side. At first, they thought the foal was covered in mud. Zebra foals are born with brown stripes that eventually turn black. This foal, however, seemed to be missing its stripes.

    https://www.facebook.com/SheldrickTrust/photos/pcb.10158201719689889/10158201713629889/?type=3&theater

    Facebook

    It took several weeks for workers to realize the foal's odd coloring wasn't due to mud. The older the foal got, the more obvious it was that it wasn't the average animal. It has the body of a donkey, but the legs of a zebra. If you look at its face, you can also see its resemblance to a donkey. Though it was hard to believe, wildlife officials realized their once-wayward zebra had given birth to a zonkey!

    Zebras have a 12-month gestation period, and it wasn't hard to connect the dots to figure out what happened. The female zebra obviously met an amicable donkey during her time on the farm, and no one knew until after she gave birth.

    Zonkeys are incredibly rare hybrids. They're technically mules, so the foal will likely never be able to reproduce. It should, however, live a normal and happy life on the reserve.

    If you're a wildlife advocate, don't forget to follow Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on Facebook! The incredible organization operates the most successful orphan elephant rescue program in the world. They're dedicated to preserving all kinds of wildlife.

    h/t: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

    All images used and embedded with permission from Sheldrick Wildlife Trust on Facebook

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

     

    zonkey

    More Amazing

    • Hand holding a carrot to horse
      40+ Tasty Fruits and Veggies That Are Safe to Feed Your Horse
    • These Converted Horse Trailers Are The Coolest Creations Ever
    • iceland horses
      Photographer Captures Extraordinary Images Of Iceland's Half-Wild Horses
    • Meet Petra: Arguably The World's Strongest Draft Horse

    Sharing is caring!

    9.2K shares
    • Share9.2K
    • Tweet

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 17 Gorgeous Equestrian Outfit Ideas for Women
    • 15 Fantastic Pictures of Horse's Jumping to Make You Smile
    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • 10 Things to Do with Your Horse That Aren't Riding
    • 30 Stunning Pictures of White Horses You Must See

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    9.2K shares
    • 9.2K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy