For the first time, the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans welcomed three Hartmann's mountain zebras last week. This species is rarely seen in captivity, as there are only 80 individuals in existence, spread across 20 facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Hartmann's mountain zebra lives only in the mountains and arid plateaus of coastal Namibia, parts of southern Angola, and northern South Africa. Their sharp hooves help them climb rocky terrain. They also use them to dig in riverbeds for water if none is available on the surface. Hartmann's mountain zebra is classified as vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss from livestock grazing, drought caused by climate change, and competition for water.
This is the smallest subspecies of zebra, measuring between 1.20 m and 1.50 m and weighing between 200 and 370 kg. They have the black or dark brown and white stripes typical of their species, but unlike other zebras, Hartmann's mountain zebras have vertical stripes on their neck and chest and horizontal stripes on their hindquarters. Zebra stripes are as unique as human fingerprints; they serve as camouflage and can act as an insect repellent. They generally live in small herds consisting of one male, several females, and their young.
Audubon's trio of zebras consists of two two-year-old sisters, Athena and Selene, and a six-year-old male, JB, which stands for James Bond.
The zebras join two young male Audubon's giraffes, Fennessey and Maverick, in a dynamic, multi-species savanna-themed exhibit. The two species would share the same habitat in the wild; therefore, pairing them at the zoo makes sense, as it reflects their wild lifestyle, according to Andrew Haertzen, assistant curator for Africa at the zoo.
The arrival of Hartmann's mountain zebras at the Audubon Zoo was recommended as part of the Aquarium & Zoo Association Species Survival Plan, which manages species populations with the interest and cooperation of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums.
