Zebras - Pictures

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Zebras - Status

Zebras are considered an endangered species since the population size is really low. This species has a lot of predators in the wild. It has to be really careful when feeding and sleeping. However, man is probably the most dangerous predator of the Zebra.

Zebras have always been hunted for its meat and skin. Appearance of the gun and advanced hunting techniques have led to a great number of Zebras killed. The scale of this phenomenon is not hard to imagine if one comes to think of the Quagga. This Zebra species was extinct in the 19th century.

Zebras - Endangered Species

Grevy's and Mountain Zebras' numbers are threateningly low. Though they have been placed on the Red List of the Threatened Species, illegal hunting does occur. The population of Grevy's Zebras Equus grevyi counts less than 10.000 species now. Hunting and natural predation are not the only causes of this species' decline. Very often, Grevy's Zebras have to compete with livestock for water resources. It has been estimated that any severe drought can bring the Grevy's Zebra to extinction.

The Mountain Zebra Equus zebra is in no more favorable conditions. One of the subspecies named the Cape Mountain Zebra has been reported to be on the edge of extinction in the 20th century. According to statistics, the number of Cape Mountain Zebras was as low as 100 species in the 1930s. Thanks to conservation efforts, Mountain Zebra National Park establishment being among them, the population of this subspecies has grown a little. However, this population size is still low and the situation is waiting to be improved.

The Plains Zebra Equus burchelli is the most abundant species of Zebra. Its numbers are reported to be about 750.000 species. However, incessant hunting and human activities that reduce the habitat of Plains Zebras bring about significant damage to the population.

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