Preventing hybridization of Cape mountain zebra

Hartmann’s zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) and plains zebra (Equus quagga burchelli) were introduced into the Western Cape. Some of these animals escaped from their points of introduction and now roam freely across the landscape. Both plains and Hartmann’s zebra can mate with Cape mountain Zebra (CMZ). Foals resulting from a CMZ-Hartmann’s cross will probably be fertile, resulting in contamination of both the CMZ and Hartmann’s gene pools. Although CMZ plains foals will likely be infertile, such crosses are wasted reproductive opportunities for both species. Zebra can also interbreed with donkeys and horses.