Grevy's zebra

Grevy’s zebra Equus grevyi is one of Africa’s rarest large mammals now restricted to a core population in northern Kenya and isolated groups in Ethiopia. In Kenya, we were instrumental in helping to create a national conservation strategy for the species and are one of the founding members of the Grevy’s Zebra Technical Committee (GZTC) which guides and implements conservation action. The GZTC was formally constituted and is now administered by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and publishes regular strategy and action plans for Grevy’s zebra, as well as guiding ongoing work by partners.

Our work includes extensive surveys and monitoring of Grevy’s zebras, particularly in the far north of Kenya, to understand and respond to changes in their populations and distribution at national and local levels. In recent years, national surveys we have co-managed indicate that Grevy’s zebra numbers have stabilized at around 3,000 individuals, with some signs of modest increase. To achieve these early signs of conservation success, we employ a network of community-based scouts to monitor and champion Grevy’s zebra in the remote areas we are working in. This links to numerous community support actions that demonstrate the benefits of healthy ecosystems that support people and wildlife. We also undertake research to study the species’ spatial and behavioural ecology, disease, and interactions with carnivores. This has led to key publications and findings that are guiding the next steps to secure wider landscapes for Grevy’s zebra. Of note, we are working with the Kenya Wildlife Service to understand the movements of zebras in and around protected areas, including national parks and reserves, privately-owned protected areas, and unprotected grazing lands. The importance of national parks and reserves provides potential refuges for Grevy’s zebra, particularly in times of drought, which are becoming more frequent and intense. With KWS, we are extending our approach to spearhead conservation efforts in the remote far north, including Sibiloi and Marsabit National Parks, eventually providing transboundary connectivity with populations in Ethiopia.

We manage the International Studbook and the European Ex situ Programme (EEP) for Grevy’s zebra and encourage participants to support our conservation initiatives in Kenya.

Read the latest report