'Zeedonks' were bred at Colchester in, I think, 1979, 80 and 81. This is the last surviving one and it lives on the African Plains exhibit along side Ostriches, Giraffes, Greater Kudu and Chapman's Zebra.
'Zeedonks' were bred at Colchester in, I think, 1979, 80 and 81. This is the last surviving one and it lives on the African Plains exhibit along side Ostriches, Giraffes, Greater Kudu and Chapman's Zebra.
Well, considering that it is approaching 30 years old, its not doing too bad. It seems to battle on year after year. I'm glad it is still valued enough to be exhibited considering what a taboo subject hybrids are but am disapointed that it is not worthy of a label.
'Zeedonks' were bred at Colchester in, I think, 1979, 80 and 81. This is the last surviving one and it lives on the African Plains exhibit along side Ostriches, Giraffes, Greater Kudu and Chapman's Zebra.
It reminds me of what a wonderful animal Shadow was. I certainly miss her.
The information on the Zeedonks I think is incorrect Shadow died aged 34 in April making her born in either 1975 or 1974 and I think their first one was born in the early 1970s. I don't suppose anyone can remeber them as babies?
The book “Mammalian Hybrids” (Annie P. Gray, 2nd edition 1972) has a photograph of a
“Hybrid between a male Grant’s zebra and a female black Arabian ass at Colchester Zoo”
on the cover, so the first one was certainly born by 1972.
The book “Mammalian Hybrids” (Annie P. Gray, 2nd edition 1972) has a photograph of a
“Hybrid between a male Grant’s zebra and a female black Arabian ass at Colchester Zoo”
on the cover, so the first one was certainly born by 1972.
“Hybrid between a male Grant’s zebra and a female black Arabian ass at Colchester Zoo”
I certainly saw three zeedonks at Colchester Zoo on many occasions; I never saw four there.
There were three Zeedonks at Colchester, never four. They lived in a small paddock near the carpark with a female black ass which I presume was their mother. All three were female.
The above states a male 'Grants' zebra was the father but the faint striping patterns on the zeedonks resembled Grevy's( narrow on the body and distinctive on the rump especially) so is this info wrong? I have always presumed it was a Grevy stallion.
My Nan thought that there was four zeedonks, not me. I think she is also recalling the elderly female Black Ass Donkey that lived with them which was the female zeedonks mother. I have asked a previous year who was the father of the three female zeedonks and the zoo have said it was indeed a Male Chapmans Zebra. I think the markings on shadow and the other two look like a Grevys but we have to go with what the zoo says.
