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These Conservation Workers Use Special Suits To Take Care Of Baby Zebras
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These Conservation Workers Use Special Suits To Take Care Of Baby Zebras

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It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the news regarding coronavirus as it seems like the non-stop cycle is at its peak. However, any other news seems like a breath of fresh air, especially when it involves cute animals. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust recently shared an adorable (albeit a little tragic) post about a baby zebra they rescued. With 12K likes and 1.5K shares, it certainly caught people’s attention. In the Facebook message, the conservation detailed a rescue operation where they saved a beautiful zebra foal who, unfortunately, lost his mother to a pride of hunting lions.

Bored Panda reached out to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for additional information and they kindly provided more details on the story, as well as some background on who they are and what they do.

“The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a not-for-profit and one of East Africa’s oldest and pioneering conservation organisations that has worked for the protection and conservation of wildlife and wild habitats in Kenya for over 40 years,” Amie, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s representative, explained. Amie also detailed how they use innovative and proven solutions to prevent wildlife poaching, human-wildlife conflict, habitat destruction, and drought.

More info: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org  | Facebook

Not too long ago, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust shared a post about one of their rescues, Diria

As for Diria, the representative said that most of the information they have on the foal they put into the Facebook post. “We don’t have any further updates at this time other than a roster of experienced keepers continue to care for him, which includes providing milk feeds, ensuring he has a warm stable to sleep in at night, and a protective ‘mother’ presence during the day,” she told us.

Most people, however, were quite intrigued by the images attached to the Facebook post, showcasing keepers wearing suits adorned with zebra-stripe patterns. There’s a very good reason for such attire, Amie explained:

“Baby zebras (called foals) need to be able to recognise their mother from birth to survive. To learn its mothers stripes, a mother zebra will often separate herself and her baby from the herd so that the baby can imprint⁠—essentially recognise and follow her coat, smell, and call. Once the calf can identify its mother, the duo will return to the herd.”

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“In the wild, calves will be raised by their mother alone, but at our Reintegration Unit, it isn’t practical for a single individual to hand-raise Diria should they go on annual leave. Therefore, to avoid this fragile new-born imprinting on one person, our Keepers don a specially made striped coat that Diria will recognise as his ‘mum,’ regardless of who is wearing it. A team of caregivers can give Diria the specialist 24/7 care he needs to give him the very best chance of survival.”

Image credits: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

When asked how people can help animals like Diria, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust representative also encouraged people to donate:

“We know that during these uncertain times, it can be really difficult to consider donating to charity and conservation given the virus that is dominating the news right now. But our mission is to continue to protect and preserve wildlife in Kenya and in practice, that means caring for individuals like Diria, which is wholly funded by donations. During these worrying times, we will need support more than ever to ensure that our activities continue. If anyone can’t donate, we completely understand and following us on social media would be amazing. We aim to continue to share all the success stories from the field made possible thanks to our supporters, many of which are feel-good.”

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You can donate to their cause by clicking here.

Image credits: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Image credits: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

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Image credits: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Here’s what people online had to say about the story

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tookangaro avatar
Jim Kang
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's ironic when some says " nature is cruel". Nature is not cruel. Humans are cruel. Nature is plants and animals doing what they need, to survive and propagate. Lions hunting is the same as you going to the store and buying food to prepare. Don't be a hypocrite and accuse animals of cruelty, they can't go to Ralph's/Tescos or whatever grocer you go to.

krois-pe-el avatar
Slune
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy with the striped coat will be save for Mosquito bites. Did you know that the stripes are a natural Mosquito repellent.It confuses the nuisances. That's the reason people cover their horses with blankets in this pattern

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby zebra is so cute, I have their Youtube channel subscribe, they have all these cute baby elephants.

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not in a life or death situation but now I wish I'd have a herd of goats to sometimes flee to

rl_2 avatar
R L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really needed to read this today. A change from covid, and it's depressing worldwide situation, this was a breath of fresh air.

elizabethcwest avatar
Pretty Pangolin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They could order more striped coats and use them as a fund-raising incentive - donate X amount and get this cool coat...and bragging rights too! Also, so glad that the herdsmen and their goats helped the little guy.

lindamatheny avatar
Linda Matheny
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God Bless all of the wonderful people who work tirelessly to ensure abandoned baby animals are able to live on!!!

monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

African proverb. When the antelope wakes up at daybreak, it knows that if it is not faster than the lion that day, it will not live to see another sunrise. When the lion wakes up, it knows that if it is not faster than the antelope, it will die of starvation. So you see, whether you are a lion or an antelope when morning breaks, you have better be ready to run!

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't like horses at all, but this story is really cute. I hope this little one gets to grow up and one day be free, or at least live in a facility where it's well cared for.

hvm47068 avatar
Mosticen
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I make a big amount online work . How ??? Just u can done also with this site and u can do it Easily 2 step one is open link next is Click on Tech so u can done Easily now u can do it also. open this ☛ https://bit.ly/2ugdH7h

tookangaro avatar
Jim Kang
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's ironic when some says " nature is cruel". Nature is not cruel. Humans are cruel. Nature is plants and animals doing what they need, to survive and propagate. Lions hunting is the same as you going to the store and buying food to prepare. Don't be a hypocrite and accuse animals of cruelty, they can't go to Ralph's/Tescos or whatever grocer you go to.

krois-pe-el avatar
Slune
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy with the striped coat will be save for Mosquito bites. Did you know that the stripes are a natural Mosquito repellent.It confuses the nuisances. That's the reason people cover their horses with blankets in this pattern

sassybooie avatar
Meeow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Baby zebra is so cute, I have their Youtube channel subscribe, they have all these cute baby elephants.

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not in a life or death situation but now I wish I'd have a herd of goats to sometimes flee to

rl_2 avatar
R L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really needed to read this today. A change from covid, and it's depressing worldwide situation, this was a breath of fresh air.

elizabethcwest avatar
Pretty Pangolin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They could order more striped coats and use them as a fund-raising incentive - donate X amount and get this cool coat...and bragging rights too! Also, so glad that the herdsmen and their goats helped the little guy.

lindamatheny avatar
Linda Matheny
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God Bless all of the wonderful people who work tirelessly to ensure abandoned baby animals are able to live on!!!

monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

African proverb. When the antelope wakes up at daybreak, it knows that if it is not faster than the lion that day, it will not live to see another sunrise. When the lion wakes up, it knows that if it is not faster than the antelope, it will die of starvation. So you see, whether you are a lion or an antelope when morning breaks, you have better be ready to run!

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't like horses at all, but this story is really cute. I hope this little one gets to grow up and one day be free, or at least live in a facility where it's well cared for.

hvm47068 avatar
Mosticen
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I make a big amount online work . How ??? Just u can done also with this site and u can do it Easily 2 step one is open link next is Click on Tech so u can done Easily now u can do it also. open this ☛ https://bit.ly/2ugdH7h

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