East Africa's Grevy's zebra specimens, found particularly in Kenya, are at serious risk of extinction due to ongoing drought in the region. This is according to the International Fund for Wildlife Conservation (Ifaw).
As Ifaw's Africa director James Isiche told national media, almost all Grevy's zebras, which differ from common zebras by their long limbs and thinner stripes, live in northern Kenya, which is facing the worst drought in 40 years and has put the lives of every animal species and even vulnerable people at serious risk due to the lack of water and grazing land.
"The lands have become dry. Water sources are running out. And human communities that coexist with zebras are struggling to survive because of the climate disaster," Isiche said.
IFAW is working with Grevy's Zebra Trust (Gzt) to ensure the zebra's survival on multiple fronts, but Isiche warns that without help and continuous monitoring, this rare species could disappear forever. IFAW is working with Grevy's Zebra Trust (GZT) to ensure the zebra's survival on multiple fronts.
These include situation monitoring, in which GZT staff keep track of zebra health and the availability of critical resources such as food and water. They intervene as necessary to ensure that the animals can withstand the effects of drought and disease. Supplementary feeding is also available, and with more than a decade of experience feeding zebras in Grevy, the GZT is working to establish additional feeding sites throughout northern Kenya.