1.0 Introduction
This will be the final report of the Kidepo Zebra
Project (KZP). KZP has been operating since
August 2006 in Kidepo Valley National Park
(KVNP). KZP was given five years to study
various main topics on zebras; these topics include:
Migration routes, Habitat use, Population structure,
Health and Mortality, Behavior, and History of the
individual harems.
Over the last five years KZP has been able to
collect unprecedented data on zebras. Whereas
other published studies have looked into data on a
macro scale, i.e. where and when zebras migrate,
what they eat, how many die, etc…KZP was also
able to collect data on a micro scale, i.e. when
individuals where born, how old they are, when harems are created/ ended, how often
females/ males move from harem to harem, when males take over/ start harems, individuals
in a harem, etc…
A small wildlife foundation concentrating on Kidepo was created from various people
passionate about helping Kidepo and its’ surrounding communities. This foundation was
called the, “Kidepo Wildlife Foundation”. It was a registered charity based in the USA, but
unfortunately, due to Uganda Wildlife’s Authority lack of interest in signing a letter of
support and understanding it will be disbanded.
It’s been a pleasure spending this time in KVNP. It’s been an experience coordinating with
the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) over these last five years. UWA’s professionalism,
cooperation, and passion for conservation speak for itself.
2.0 The Zebras
2.1 Migration routes
The zebras in KVNP no longer migrate in the traditional sense. Traditionally it is believed
that they would migrate from Southern Sudan, Northern Uganda, and North Western
Kenya. However, habitat loss and negative human interaction have caused the zebras in
KVNP to stay in and around Kidepo year round. It’s interesting to note that the only two
places that one finds zebras and eland in Uganda are in Lake Mburo National Park and
KVNP- some 1,000 km. apart. It is this author’s belief that these two separate populations
are genetically quite different; and that the Nile caused a natural barrier that these two
species, to name but a few, were incapable of crossing. But no data could be found to
substantiate this theory.
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91% of the zebra population currently resides in the Narus Valley (Map 1.). As stated in
previous reports “A” harem continues to migrate from Narus valley to Kidepo valley. It is
still believed to be the only harem that makes this migration. Zebras stay in the Narus
Valley- easily seen on a daily basis. Harems B, C, F, G, H, and L stay in the Nakasodupiri
area. Harems D, E, and M are staying around Apoka. S harem is staying by itself in the
Katarum foothills; and as noted previously, the bachelor group (now 11 zebras) travels
between these different areas socializing with various harems.
Map 1. Zebra locations in Kidepo Valley National Park as of 1/11/06.
Legend
X = Locations zebras have been seen in the last six months. The letter indicates its
corresponding harem.
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2.2 Habitat use
The habitat use of the zebras is
almost exclusively short grass land
savannah. They prefer open areas
where they can detect danger from
far away. They only use tall grass
areas with trees and bushes when
they have to get from one short
grass area to the next. Most of the
Narus valley that remains unadulterated is composed of the tall
grass, Hyperhhinia sp. However, the
Narus valley also has areas, roughly 20%, that constitutes the short grass, Themeda sp. These
areas are in small patches in Narus valley and the surrounding foothills. There are also
artificial short grass areas, particularly the Kakine circuit, Apoka HQ, and Apoka safari lodge
that are composed of different grasses such as Cloris sp., Panicum sp., and Seteria sp., which the
zebras prefer for grazing. These latter grasses are more succulent than the coarser grasses
Hyperhhinia and Themeda. It is apparent that even though zebras are classified as “bulk
grazers” they will, when given the option, feed almost exclusively on succulent grasses and
forbs.
2.3 Population structure
Over the last five years the
population of zebras in KVNP
vacillated between 70 and 99.
The average population was 95;
and the median was 77. It
seems as though their
population has somewhat
stabilized; which in itself is
good news but not when you
take into account that their
where probably hundreds, if not
thousands, of zebra roaming
KVNP just 40 years ago.
What’s more, is that they are no
longer exchanging genetics with other populations nearby in Sudan and Kenya. Therefore, it
becomes debatable whether their current number can genetically sustain itself over the
coming decades.
Currently, the zebra’s total confirmed population stands at 86 (compared to 91 six months
ago) individuals comprised of 12 harems and an amorphous bachelor group; with the largest
harem being 10 members; and the average harem size has stayed at six zebras since the last
progress report(Tables 1 and 2.). Males have gone from making 40% of the population to
just 27%, females make up 44%, and young (under two years of age) have gone from making
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up 18% of the population to an impressive 29%. This data have also been broken down
into age class (Table 3). This population structure is an improvement from previous years
because more young are represented in the population. All confirmed zebras have been
individually identified as well as the harems they belong to (Appendix 1.) Each harem has
been arbitrarily assigned a letter of the alphabet. Each zebra over the age of two was named
using a name beginning with the corresponding letter of the harem. The exception was
fowls (zebras under two years). Fowls were simply assigned a mark such as “A-1”, “B-2”,
“C-3”, etc. This is due to the fact that roughly 80% of the fowls are dying before their first
two years of life. All zebra were photographed from the left side so as to be methodical; this
is also because zebras do not have bisymmetrical patterns.
Table 1. Zebra population in Kidepo
from August, 2010 to May, 2011.
100 Total
80
Female
60
Zebras
40
Male
Young
Dead
Born
20
0
Total
Female
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Table 2. Zebra harem demographic in KVNP as of 01/05/11.
Harem
Total
Male
Female
A
6
1
5
B
11
1
9
BACH
11
11
0
C
9
1
4
D
7
1
4
E
5
1
3
F
3
1
2
G
2
1
1
H
4
1
3
I
2
1
1
L
10
1
8
M
10
1
9
S
6
1
3
TOTAL
86
23
52
Young
0
1
0
4
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
11
7
6
5
%Female
4
%Male
Age Range
3
2
1
-0.2
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
Table 3. Age-gender pyramid for zebras of KVNP, May 2011.*
*Multiply the % by 100 for real %. Remove the negative sign for the males to get actual %. The age range
is in years with the maximum known age being 5+.
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Table 4a. Population decline of the zebras in
Kidepo, 1972- 1995.*
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Population
Table 4b. Kidepo Zebra population, 1995- 2011.*
500
400
300
200
100
0
Population
* Data were not available for all of the years represented. Years where there were no data,
some extrapolation was used to form a continuous annual trend.
The benefits of having the entire zebra population identified are many. Firstly, it becomes
possible to tell whether or not a group of zebras seen in one area one day and then a group
of zebras seen in another area the next day are the same and have migrated; or are two
different groups. Secondly, it becomes possible to tell if a group moves from an area and
when it moves from an area. Thirdly, it becomes possible to tell if a zebra has died much
quicker and with much more certainty than if the zebras were not identified. It takes much
of the guesswork out of the research by being able to identify all zebras.
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2.4 Health & Mortality
In general, the zebras of Kidepo are in good health. The only vetenary work done during
the last five years was from an Italian student. She was trying to find a correlation between
parasite load and the hierarchal position held by the female zebras. She found that the
parasite load, compared to the zebras in Lake Mburo, to be quite low- probably due to low
exposure to domestic cattle. Roughly 20% of the zebras have scratches and scars on their
flanks due to lion attacks. And even deep gashes and lacerations are able to be recovered
from. Another phenomenon observed was tail biting. And contrary to what other zebra
“experts” claim (Carnaby 2006), male zebras are not the only gender to suffer tail biting;
female zebras do indeed get their tails bitten off from lion attacks.
The main birthing season for zebras in Kidepo is from March to August. 15 new zebras
were born from August, 2010 to May, 2011. Throughout the five year study only five
carcasses were found. But due to late stage deterioration their could be no conclusive
forensic tests done. Nonetheless, something is killing the young zebra colts at an alarming
rate.
KZP’s leading theory as to the cause of the zebra decline is due to a “fractured ecosystem”.
During the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s most of the prey species were either reduced to 10% of their
original population or completely removed from Kidepo because of poaching and soldiering.
This is the ultimate cause of the zebras’ decline. By removing such a large numbers of
grazers, it caused the grass to grow more prolifically than it otherwise would; and it allowed
the previously Themeda grass cover to be encroached by the higher grass, Hyperhhinia sp.
Then, in the mid-90’s a major climate shift occurred in the area known as “El Nino”. This
climate shift brought an increase in rainfall, causing the area to go from a short grass semi
arid desert biome to a tall grass savannah. Many of the Kidepo prey species are not well
adapted to this type of environment. Finally, predators in the area, namely lions, do not
have the prey choice that they once had, therefore they are focusing on they prey that is
easily available, namely zebras, buffalo, and warthogs. This predator-prey imbalance is the
proximate cause of the zebras’ decline. This situation is self-reinforcing and perpetuates the
decline of the zebra population.
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3.0 Behavior
Much data involving the behavior of the zebra was able to be observed and collected over
the five year study. The population was small enough so that every family was identified;
every individual was identified, and all bachelors were identified. This allowed for
unprecedented observations regarding zebra behavior. For example, it was possible to know
when (and which) females were taken from one family to another; when males were kicked
out; even when new families were created by a bachelor taking a sexually mature female; or
when whole families were wiped out. When a stallion is removed from a family by another
stallion, the losing stallion will get absorbed into the bachelor group. Although the bachelor
group is fairly amorphous- constantly changing and shifting, it does qualify as one group of
12 males. However, these males can break off into different groups for days at a time only
to regroup later. And sometimes when young males are kicked out of their original families
they find it hard to initially assimilate into the bachelor group because they are picked on.
Therefore, sometimes they will sometimes choose to live alone or even to bond with another
species entirely, such as a group of hartebeests.
Kidepo zebras definitely exhibit the
(unconscious genetic) “behavior” reportedly
unusual to zebras; namely, male and female
offspring from a harem will be dispersed into
other harems at or around sexual maturity.
However, sometimes females will stay in their
original harem even after sexual maturity. Even
the alpha stallion may be displaced by another
stallion. Consequently, only the adult females
can be said to form the nucleus of the harem; as
they are rarely leaving the harem except upon
death or “kidnapping”. Scientifically, this
behavior has the “unintended” benefit of
maximizing genetic variation among future
offspring thereby reducing inbreeding.
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Other observed behaviors during the five year study were:









Sexually mature females are often relocated to other harems.
Sexually mature males are sometimes allowed to remain in the harem. They are
tolerated and allowed to come back to the harem as they make the uncomfortable
transition into the bachelor group. But eventually they are no longer tolerated.
75% of all harem stallions were replaced at least once.
75% of all harems recruited at least one female from other harems
Only 25% of all harems had no females taken from their harem.
Only 45% of the original zebras from 2006 are still alive by 2011. In general 90%, of
wild zebras die by the age of 16.
Females are giving birth to new born zebras every year instead of the usual two year
cycle; and often giving birth by two years of age. This is probably an adaptation to
the fact that the vast majority of yearlings are dying.
Formation of a new harem. This was observed twice during the five year study (M
and I group).
The behavior of, what KZP calls, “sentry watch” is common (Picture 2.) This is
probably for safety reasons.

Zebras can be kicked out of the harem (if they are male) or stolen away by other
males (if they are female) by one year of age.

The majority of the time, the alpha female will lead the harem as to when and where
to go. However sometimes the alpha stallion will perform this role. The stallion’s
main role is defending the harem.
What these observations illustrate is that animal behavior cannot be “written in stone”. The
behavior of zebras in one location of the earth will undoubtedly vary from place to place,
depending on factors such as human contact and environment. Animal behavior is more
malleable than many scientists care to believe. It is only by careful observation that these
differences in behavior can be recognized and recorded.
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4.0 The Zebra Harems (Since August 06)
A harem:
Name
Arnold
Allison
Agatha
C3
Alexis
A9
Born
unk
unk
unk
01-09
12-08
01-10
Age (in years)
5+
5+
5+
2
2
1
Gender
M
AF
F
F
F
F
One of the most stable harems in the park. Current zebras in the group are six. The only
one thought to still migrate to/ from Kidepo valley to Narus valley. Original alpha stallion
(Andy) has been replaced by another stallion (Arnold) in May of 2010. Has had 9 births and
9 deaths. Four zebras have left the harem: two bachelors, one female went to H group
(Hula) and one female went to D Group (AD5). One female, C3, has joined the group. The
harem nucleus is made up of two females: Allison and Agatha. Females, A8 (Alexis) and A9
have stayed in the harem even after sexual maturity.
B harem:
Name
Bob
Barbara
Beatrice
Bandit
Betty
Basket
B9
B10
B11
B12
B13
Born
unk
unk
unk
unk
unk
08-06
02-10
01-10
11-10
11-10
05-11
Age
5+
5+
5+
5+
5+
4
1
1
0
0
0
Gender
M
AF
F
F
F
F
F
F
unk
unk
unk
Also a relatively stable and large harem. Current zebras in the group are 11. The alpha male
(Brent)has been replaced by a bachelor (Bob). Has had 13 births and five deaths. No other
zebras were recruited into this group. This group has had two males that went to the
bachelor group. The harem nucleus is made up of four females: Barbara, Beatrice, Betty,
and Bandit. Female, B1 (Basket), has stayed in the harem even after sexual maturity. B10 is
the Mother of B11, Beatrice is Mother of B13, Barbara is Mother of B7 and B10.
C harem:
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Name
Charles
Crystal
Champ
Carol
Camela
C new
C5
C6
C7
Born
unk
unk
unk
unk
unk
unk
11-09
04-10
03-11
Age
5+
5+
5+
5+
5+
5+
1
1
0
Gender
M
AF
F
F
F
F
unk
unk
unk
An average size harem. Current zebras in the group are 9. Original alpha stallion (Chris) has
been replaced by another stallion(Charles). Has had 7 births but 7 deaths. One female was
recruited into the group (New C). Two zebras left the harem: one male (to bachelor group)
and one female to A group (C3). The harem nucleus is made up of four females: Crystal,
Carol, Camela, and Champ. Crystal is Mother of C5. Champ is Mother of C4.
D harem:
Name
EddisonD
H-Dorthy
Doreen
Delilah
AD5
D6
D7
Born
unk
unk
unk
unk
005-07
09-09
05-11
Age
5+
5+
5+
5+
4
1
0
Gender
M
AF
F
F
F
unk
unk
Average size harem. Current zebras in the group are seven. Original alpha stallion (Dan)
has been replaced by another stallion which used to be the alpha stallion of E group
(Eddison). Has had seven births and six deaths. Had two females brought into the harem:
one from A group (AD5) and one from H harem (H-Dorothy). Has had no zebras leaving
to other groups. The harem nucleus is made up of three females: H-Dorthy, Doreen, and
Delilah. Delilah is Mother of D2. H- Dorothy is Mother of D3.
E harem:
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Name
Eli
Emily
SE1
Eliza
E5
Born
unk
unk
05-07
06-06
02-11
Age
5+
5+
4
5+
0
Gender
M
AF
F
F
unk
Average size harem. Current zebras in the group are five. Alpha stallion (Eddy)has been
replaced by a bachelor (Eddison); and then replaced again by yet another bachelor. Has had
five born and one death. Had one female from S group brought in (SE1); one female taken
(Miss Elke). This female began M harem with a Bachelor. The harem nucleus is made up of
three females: Emily (Mother of E3), Eliza (E1), and SE1. Female, Eliza, has stayed in the
harem even after sexual maturity.
F harem:
Name
Frank
Fiona
G4
Born
unk
unk
04-08
Age
5+
5+
3
Gender
M
AF
F
A smaller harem. Current zebras in the group are three. Alpha stallion (Frank) is still with
the harem. Has had six born and two deaths. Had one female from G group brought in
(G4). And two males kicked out to bachelor group. The harem nucleus is made up of two
females: Fiona (Mother of F2 and F6)and G4.
G harem:
Name
Gary
Gene
Born
unk
unk
Age
5+
5+
Gender
M
AF
A smaller harem. Current zebras in the group are two. Alpha stallion (Gary) is still with the
harem. Has had five births and two deaths. One female taken; and two males moved to
bachelor group. Harem nucleus is made up of Gene.
H harem:
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Name
Hank
Helen
Hula
Habit
Born
unk
unk
02-08
01-09
Age
5+
5+
3
2
Gender
M
AF
F
F
One of the smaller harems. Current zebras in the group are four. Alpha stallion (Hank) is
still with the harem. Has had two births and one death. One female taken to D group (HDorothy). Also, recruited one female from A harem (Hula). Harem nucleus is made of
three females: Helen, Hula (A2) (Mother of H2), and Habit (H2).
I Harem
Name
ICraig
IGertrude
Born
11-06
unk
Age
4
5+
Gender
M
AF
This harem is the newest of all harems, having just been created in 01-11. Currently only
made up of two zebras. ICraig, a bachelor originally from C group, has taken IGertrude
from G group and started this new harem.
L harem:
Name
Lane
Larah
Lisa
Levi
Lena
L11
L12
L13
Born
08-06
unk
unk
unk
unk
03-10
03-10
03-11
Age
5+
5+
5+
5+
5+
1
1
0
Gender
M
AF
F
F
F
unk
unk
unk
One of the larger harems; and the group with the highest fertility rate. This group is also the
most stable and it is the only group to have no zebras taken or any zebras recruited into the
group. Current zebras in the group are eight. The alpha stallion was killed; and for six
months this group had no stallion. Eventually, a bachelor (F1) Lane took over the harem.
Has had 13 births and 10 deaths. Harem nucleus is made of four females: Larah, Lena,
Levi, and Lisa.
M harem:
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Name
Mark
Miss Elke
Mephisto
Milo
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
Born
unk
unk
12-06
03-07
3-09
2-10
07-10
07-10
04-11
Age
5+
5+
4
4
2
1
0
0
0
Gender
M
AF
F
F
F
unk
unk
unk
unk
An average size harem. This harem was formed in 2008 when one of the bachelors recruited
an adult female from E harem and started his own harem. At first only two but now 9
zebras in the group However, alpha stallion was recently replaced by a bachelor (Mark).
Has had seven births and only one death. Original alpha stallion recruited 2 females from E
harem (Miss Elke) and S harem (MS1). Then later, he recruited another female from S
group (MS2)Harem nucleus is made of five females: Miss Elke, (MS1) Mephisto, (MS2)
Milo, (M1) Midget, and M3.
S harem:
Name
New stallion
Sylvia
Stephanie
GS1
B2
B3
Born
unk
unk
unk
08-06
02-11
03-11
Age
5+
5+
5+
4
0
0
Gender
M
AF
F
F
unk
unk
Average size harem. Current number of zebras in group is six. Alpha stallion (Scott)
replaced by bachelor. Has had three births and two deaths. Three females were taken: one
to E group (SE1), and two to M group (MS1 and MS2). Also, recruited one female from G
harem (GS1). Harem nucleus is made of two females: Sylvia and Stephanie.
Bachelor group:
Name
1.2
2.8
A4
A5
B4
B7
E3
E4
F2
G3
G5
Born
unk
unk
01-07
07-07
05-08
02-09
07-08
01-09
2-08
05-08
03-08
Kidepo Zebra Project
Age
5+
5+
4
3
3
2
2
2
3
3
3
Gender
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
14
5.0 Conclusion
The population of zebras in Kidepo is but a fraction of what it once was some 40 years ago.
This population has shown to be static over the last five years. However, it is important to
note that zebras, like other bulk grazers, use a survival strategy based on having large
populations that can absorb losses due to predation and some interaction by humans such as
poaching and legal hunting. This is no longer the case in Kidepo and therefor this
population of zebras is threatened with extinction unless something can be done to bring
their numbers back to their original population.
It is believed by KZP that the zebras of Kidepo (and even Southern Sudan if there are any
left) probably qualify
as a valid sub specie
of the Plains zebras.
The northern most
home range for
Plains zebras is the
Northern Ugandan/
Southern Sudan area.
These zebras have
never been studied
until now. The
zebras of Kidepo
have been isolated
from other
populations for many
years.
Phenotypically, they
differ in appearance from almost all other zebras because the males drop their manes as they
age, the ears have almost no pattern, and their pattern stripes are different. Locally, the
zebras are known as “mane less” zebras for the reason previously mentioned. No genetic or
anti-body testing has ever been done as to date in order to confirm genotypic differences.
However, when you combine all these factors it, at the very least, gives warrant to the
possibility that the Kidepo zebras are a unique sub-species. And ideally their bio-diversity
should not be lost. Not to mention, it would be a source of pride for Uganda to hold one of
the newest sub-species of Plains zebra in the world.
Yet, the higher priority for Kidepo as an ecosystem, is to not lose zebras from this area.
Therefore, what needs to happen is to translocate zebras from somewhere else, such as Lake
Mburo, in order to get their population back up to viable numbers; even if this means losing
the distinct (possible) sub-specie of the area. If no action is taken, then it is inevitable that
the zebras of Kidepo will become lost, sooner or later.
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