Orphaned zebra foal rescued near Magaliesberg

A zebra foal was rescued by the Owl Rescue Centre after her mother had been shot and killed by hunters a couple of days ago on a farm near Hekpoort, leaving her terrified and hungry.

With the help of Kerri Wolter from VulPro they were able to get her to Dr Le-Anne Kleynhans and Dr Danielle Smith at Broederstroom Vet Clinic just in time.

The Owl Rescue Centre team posted on their Facebook page that the little zebra made it through the night and that they are hopeful that she will recover well. ‘She isn’t out the woods just yet, but the young zebra is feeling 300% better than she was earlier,’ said the Centre.

Just like other mammals, zebra foals suckle from their mothers after they are born. While most zebras are fully weaned between 7 and 11 months, their mothers continue to lactate for up to 16 months after giving birth.

Zebras are herbivores, and foals begin to graze on grass, shrubs, and other plant materials after 1 week of being born. However, a foal will suffer and starve when its mother is not alive to suckle them.

Pictures: Facebook | Owl Rescue Centre