Mountain Zebra 



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The mountain zebra is, and has for some years past been, under special 

 protection in the Cape Colony, and can only be shot by a permit from the 

 Governor. Such permission ought now never to be granted, and in practice 

 probably never is. Yet even now, although here and there on certain 

 mountain farms, principally owned by British colonists, the few remaining 

 troops are as carefully protected as possible, this rare and most interesting 



beast continues, it is to be feared, to decline steadily in numbers. Not all, or 

 anything like all, colonial farms are fenced. The runs are very large. The 

 average South African farm is 6000 acres. A large one is often three times 

 that size. The animals will wander, and it is extremely difficult, even with 

 the best intentions in the world, to ensure the safety of the zebras now remain- 

 ing to the Cape Colony. There are always Boers and natives ready to take 

 the risk of a heavy fine — a risk, by reason of the very vastness and solitude of 

 the country, not so very great — for the sake of a shot at so big and rare 



