Zebra an investment for the future

Press, 16 April 1980, Page 22

Zebra an investment for the future

Forty-six thousand dollars may sound like a great deal of money to pay for four zebras but to the Orana Park Trust Board

the investment is well worth making. Zebras are important to Orana Park for two reasons. First, the emblem of the South Island Zoological Society, the .group which originally set up the park, features a zebra. Even more important than this, though, the zebra is rapidly becoming an endangered species and the Orana Park Trust Board is committed to the preservation of wildlife. There are three main species of zebra, all natives of the African continent. Two of these species, the mountain zebra and the Grevy’s zebra, are so rare that they are in danger of extinction. The third species, the common plains zebra, has had its numbers so much reduced as. to cause concern to conservationists. Zebra are members of the equine family along with horses and donkeys and were once common in the grasslands south of the Sahara Desert. They are grazing animals, living naturally in small herds and roaming the plains and scrub-lands. The reasons for their declining numbers are all attributable to man. Settlement and the development of farms has meant that zebra have had to move from their chosen habitat into surroundings which are unsuitable. They have met increased competition for food from domestic animals, which in times of drought has been particularly devastating. Hunting and poaching for both meat and skins are widespread practices, in spite of recent laws which classify zebra as protected game. Zebra adapt well to captivity, however, and reproduce easily under favourable, conditions. The continuation of the species in zoos and wildlife reserves is therefore assured. Two male and two female zebra are being brought to Orana Park, in

line with the' park’s policy of keeping animals in groups. The animals are to be purchased from an English zoo since Britain is the only country with zebra available which meets quarantine regulations. Freight, insurance and veterinary costs account for almost half of the purchase price for the group of zebra, but once established in the park their popularity is expected to justify the expense. The zebra will play an important part in the future . development of Orana Park. The planned African Plains Reserve, covering 40 hectares, will reproduce as closely as possible a natural African habitat. Excavation down to ground-water level is in progress to make a natural waterway running the full length of the plains. The waterway will simulate an ancient river which has cut its way through the land leaving river terraces on either side.

Three distinct habitats will be simulated and the animals which dwell there displayed. The highest

ground will be desert, with * ostriches, camels, oryx, wild ass, Barbary sheep and | eland. . •. ' On the lower will live the savannah.; 1 plains animals. Here ther- : zebra will e joined b£j ■ cheetah, gazelle, antelope,? ; giraffe and white rhino; ;.'■• ! Living by the water’s'.} I edge will be waterbuck,-? sitatunga and hippo in a simulated river marsh environment. • :• Natural barriers created;-, by water courses arid}; ditches will be used to- i;| separate the anmials and"; give an unrestricted view}; to visitors. A feature ofthe new development will- - ’ be a visitor information!.l centre combined with a}’ restaurant overlooking the} entire complex. :.! Landscaping of the- -j African Plains develop-" i ment has already begunr. and is expected to be com- - j pleted within about two} ; years. The display is important not only from the point of view of providing} ' an exciting new for visitors, but also as a-;, j reservoir for endangered' wildlife, enabling the park - to play a significant part in;' world conservation. ‘