Zebra Gives Birth To A “Zonkey” At A Wildlife Trust In Kenya

Several workers at a wildlife trust were stunned after discovering that a rescued zebra gave birth to a “zonkey” in Nairobi, Kenya.

UPI reports the female zebra escaped out of Tsavo East National Park and was rescued by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in May 2019. The zebra was placed at the Kenze Anti-Poaching Team’s base in Chyulu National Park where it gave birth to a baby zonkey twelve months later.

RELATED STORIES: Pandas Mate For First Time In 10 Years After Coronavirus Closes Zoo

“While zebra foals are born with white and brown stripes that eventually turn black, this little one’s body was suspiciously light on stripes and overwhelmingly tawny in color. At first, we thought that it had just been wallowing in the mud bath, but then the truth dawned on us: Our wayward zebra had given birth to a zonkey!”

The statement said the zebra became friendly with a donkey that also lived in the park and became adjusted with a cattle herd.

“A zonkey is a highly unusual hybrid between a zebra and donkey. The gestation period of a zebra is twelve months, so it’s not difficult to connect the dots. During her time living within the community last year, she had obviously become acquainted with an amorous donkey.”

RELATED STORIES: NYC Bronx Zoo Tiger Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Animal experts say it is very rare for a zonkey to be born to a zebra in the wild.