This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
On September 16, 2019, a rare zebra with a melanin disorder was spotted in the Maasai Mara, sending shockwaves among tourists and wildlife experts.
The zebra, which was hardly a week old, was seen stuck close to its mother near the Mara River. Its unusual appearance caused a stampede in the reserve, with tour drivers and photographers rushing to get a glimpse of the rare find.
According to Mr. Felix Migoya, secretary of the Mara tour guides and drivers association, the zebra's appearance created an additional wonder for international tourists who were in the reserve to witness the last moments of the wildebeest migration.
The zebra's dark coloration is due to a genetic abnormality linked to the amount of melanin, affecting the pigmentation of its fur. According to a wildlife specialist at Matira Camp, Parmale Lemein, there has never been a recorded case of such a rare zebra in the Mara.
However, Lemein pointed out that none of the zebras with similar conditions in other parks in Africa have survived for more than six months after birth.
Researchers claim that zebra stripes are formed from the inhibition of melanin, and that the 'default' color of a zebra is black. Without the protection of its stripes, the zebra may be vulnerable to biting flies and other predators.
