January 31st
International Zebra Day
International Zebra Day falls on the last day of January. His goal is to introduce these African ungulates to the public, and above all to draw attention to the fact that all three species of zebra are endangered animals and their numbers in the wild are still decreasing.
Zebras belong to the equine family and are found only in Africa south of the Sahara. They are divided into three different species based on their appearance and distribution: Grevy's zebra, mountain zebra, and plains zebra. The mountain zebra has two subspecies: Hartmann's zebra and Cape mountain zebra. The plains zebra has five subspecies.
The plains zebra is the most common type of zebra and can be found in grasslands from southern Ethiopia to eastern and southern Africa. They are currently threatened by habitat loss and hunting for their skins and meat.
Grevy's zebra is the largest of the three species and is commonly found in Ethiopia. They have experienced one of the largest range reductions among all African mammals. Their species faces numerous threats, including competition for resources with livestock, poaching for meat and medicinal purposes, and drought.
The mountain zebra originates from southwestern Angola, Namibia, and southwestern Africa. They typically inhabit mountainous areas in these regions, making them highly resilient. The mountain zebra is currently listed as critically endangered and came close to extinction in the 20th century. Similar to the plains zebra, their greatest threats are habitat loss and hunting.
To celebrate International Zebra Day, you can start by spreading information about these amazing animals through sharing some of these fun facts with your family and friends. Another great way to celebrate is by visiting a zoo where zebras are kept. Make International Zebra Day a day to educate yourself and your friends about the efforts to protect these animals and how to help them.
