36 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



of the best physical qualities of both the donkey and 

 the horse, and has for that reason long occupied 

 a high position as a transport animal. But the 

 zebra, in physical conformation, is sturdier and more 

 compact than the mule or donkey, besides being fleeter 

 than either ; he has besides the immense advantage 

 of being entirely immune from horse-sickness and 

 nagana disease, those equine scourges of Africa ; there- 

 fore his adoption as a transport animal in many 

 places would confer great advantages. But in order 

 to test his usefulness thoroughly, it is absolutely 

 necessary that the experiments should be persisted in 

 through several generations of animals born in captivity, 

 and specially fed and worked, in order, as far as possible, 

 to bring them on level terms with their competitors. 

 It is obvious that upon economic grounds it would be 

 necessary to make any general use of them only in such 

 districts as are unsuitable for other equines, and for the 

 success of the experiment it would be desirable to retain 

 them permanently within these districts, otherwise 

 absence for a generation or two from the influence of 

 infective agents might very possibly destroy their 

 immunity. 



Both in British and in German East Africa experiments 

 in capturing Burchell's zebras on a large scale have been 

 made. Large and strong enclosures, with funnel-shaped 

 entrances, were constructed, and into these were driven 

 several herds. Men then took up their quarters within 

 the enclosures, to accustom the animals to their presence, 

 and in a few days not only the young but the full-grown 

 ones had grown so perfectly unconcerned, that in a short 

 time it was possible to handle them with ease. As regards 

 British territory, the experiment was put an end to by 

 the death of most of the animals from a disease which 



