Habitat and Population

Population

The quagga, one subspecies, is extinct. The Cape mountain zebra was hunted to near extinction -- in the 1930's there were less than 100 individuals. The population since has increased to about 700 due to conservation efforts. In national parks, both mountain zebra subspecies are currently protected.

Also endangered is the Grévy's zebra. Competition from livestock and hunting have greatly decreased their population. Because of the population's small size, environmental hazards, such as drought, are capable of affecting the entire species. The plains zebra has a much more healthy population, but is still reduced by hunting and habitat loss due to farming. The zebra population is slowly but surely decreasing.