Rare zebra with spots sighted in Kruger Posted by Anita Froneman on 19 February 2020 A recent visitor to the Kruger National Park came across an unusual sighting of a zebra with what looks like spots around a scar on its flank. Posting to the Facebook group, Kruger Sightings, Shirley van Niekerk asked members what they thought could have caused it. Credit: Shirley van Niekerk The general consensus is that the unusual pattern could be a normal genetic variation that affects a small percentage of the zebra population. It could also be melanism (the opposite of albinism), where a zebra’s stripes haven’t developed properly and result in deviant patterns forming across the skin. Another member of the group thought that stress, probably caused by whatever inflicted the scar, resulted in the deformation of the stripes. Of course, as South Africans do, some also found the humour in it, joking good-naturedly that perhaps the ink ran before it could dry properly. Others offered tongue-in-the-cheek comments speculating that perhaps the zebra’s father took a special interest in leopards. Image: Facebook/Shirley van Niekerk Related Posts Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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