Zebra mixes are a tricky one, as there are a lot of examples of zebra mixes that have been both successful and disastrous. Here's a few things I could say about zebra mixes though:
- It heavily depends on the individuals. Just like all mixes, just because it worked in one zoo doesn't mean it'll work everywhere. It depends a lot on the temperament of all the individuals involved, especially the zebras as they tend to be the aggressors.
- Females tend to play nicer than males. This isn't to say that males can't be mixed, or to say that females can always be mixed, but as a general rule of thumb a mix including a same-sex herd of female zebras is the most likely to mix successfully.
- Mountain Zebras tend to play nicer than either Plains Zebras or Grevy's Zebras. The AZA has specifically encouraged zoos to avoid mixes with Grevy's Zebras, and instead use Mountain Zebras in any mixed species exhibits.
- Choosing appropriate other species is key to a successful zebra mix. Mixing zebras with greater kudu, a relatively mild-tempered species, similar size to the zebras, and not very flighty, is much more likely to be a successful choice for a zebra mixed exhibit than, say, springbok, who are much smaller and tend to be fractious, or sable antelope, a species that, although similar size to zebras, tend to be another aggressive species.
- Space matters. A safari park with a twelve-acre savanna is less likely to have difficulties mixing zebras than a city zoo with a half-acre exhibit. This isn't fail safe, and the wrong individuals would make an unsuccessful mix in either (or the right individuals can make a successful mix in either), but as a general rule of thumb more space makes for better mixes.
Overall, however, I personally would be very cautious with zebra mixes if I was in charge of a zoo. I would be okay with the idea of mixing hartmann's mountain zebras with a same size or larger species that tends to be non-aggressive (e.g. greater kudu, nyala, white rhinos, ostrich), but that's about it. Other than that, I'd leave the zebras in their own exhibit and choose mixes with a higher success rate.
