Zonkeys, hybrids of a mother zebra and a father donkey, are extremely rare in nature, as these species usually show no interest in each other.
But love is blind – and sometimes it leads to a zonkey! In the spring, one of the zebras from the East Tsavo National Park in Kenya wandered away from the herd. She got lost and stumbled upon a local farm, where she decided to stay for a while.
The zebra became attached to the local cows, spending a few weeks with them. Then, employees of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust arrived at the farm. They transported the animal to a more suitable place.
It seemed that the zebra was happy to return to the wild, but soon the locals started to notice her again at the farm. And one day she came there not alone, but with a foal – and what a foal it was! Zebras usually give birth to babies covered in white and brown stripes.
Later, their skin gradually becomes covered with the familiar black and white pattern. But this zonkey had stripes only on its legs.
Above, it didn’t look like its mother at all, resembling another animal – a donkey! According to the employees of the Trust, the carefree zebra had entered into a romantic relationship while living on the farm, and by the time they moved her back, she was already pregnant.
This also explained the fact that even after the move, she continued to visit the village. Despite the fact that the parents belong to different animal species, their “love child” looks quite healthy and lively. It is not yet known how other zebras will perceive the hybrid baby if the mother decides to return to the herd, but everyone on the farm treats it very well. The unusual baby has become a local attraction.
Even residents of neighboring villages come to the farm: everyone wants to see this miracle and take a photo with it. The zebra and her zonkey offspring continue to live nearby. Something prevents the mother from leaving the farm and returning to the wild. Perhaps it is love?