XVII 



ZEBRAS 



THERE is hardly any zoological garden which does 

 not possess one or more specimens of the African 

 zebra. The zebras of the northern part of German East 

 Africa are divided into two zoo -geographical species, 

 the Equus bochnu and the Equus granti. 



Although their number has been reduced consider- 

 ably within the last, decades, numerous herds of the 

 beautiful equidoe are still roving qver the wide steppe. 

 The zebra is essentially an animal of the plain and of 

 the thinly wooded forest, but it frequents also mod- 

 erately high mountainous districts. We often found 

 zebras in company with ostriches, antelopes, gazelles, 

 and gnus. I have often seen herds of gnus and zebras 

 feeding and drinking peacefully side by side. 



Like almost all other animals in virgin countries, the 

 zebra becomes shy and cautious, mainly by being much 

 hunted. The natives hunt the animal for food only, 

 but don't kill it merely for the sake of the sport. It 

 can still be easily hunted by the European traveller 

 and the Askari with their long-range rifles. After a 



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