This archive report was first published on 17 September 2019.
On September 17, 2019, a rare-colored zebra foal was spotted in Kenya's Maasai Mara Game Reserve, sending shockwaves on social media.
The foal, captured by tour guide-turned-photographer Antony Tira, was initially mistaken for a zebra that had been painted or marked for migration purposes.
However, Tira soon realized that the foal was a rare case of a zebra with a melanin disorder, which affects the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair color.
According to Matira Camp Wildlife specialist Parmale Lemein, there has never been a recorded case of such a rare zebra in Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
Furthermore, Lemein noted that none of the zebras with this condition in other African game parks have survived for over six months after birth.
The photos of the unique-looking animal have been widely shared on social media platforms, captivating the attention of online users.
