Hi! I haven't been on here for awhile. I was curious if anyone knew what happened with the zebras who used to be with the giraffes and ostriches? I did notice the zebras being a bit rambunctious, going so far as to nip at the giraffes. Two giraffes, Tyra and Aasali are pregnant and maybe the safety of those two is why they were removed. Did they go to a different zoo? Get moved to their own area? Thanks!
Zebras are often kept in separate enclosures due to their aggressive nature. At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park where even rhinos and cape buffalo are mixed with various hoofstock,the zebras are kept separate due to their temperament,so the same likely happened in Houston.
I know why they were moved, I saw them attacking the giraffes. They would jump up and bite them on the chest. I watch the Houston giraffes on the web-cam regularly. There were other zebras in with the giraffes in the past but they were not as aggressive. These new ones were quite rough. I'm just curious as to where they are and if they're ok. The giraffes and ostriches do just fine with each other.
-Also, zebras should generaly be kept separate from other animals, because they can carry different equine herpesviruses (EHV-1...-9), some of wich, can cause several diseases/disorders in giraffes (including encephalitis; cases documented) and in other animals. They can cause also abortion in infected animals. Maybe one reason why they are separate from the pregnant giraffes is fear from eventual infection and abortion in giraffes. -Equine herpesviruses show huge variety of tropisms (in vitro) toward different cells from a lot of species of animals.
I did not know about the equine viruses and their effects on giraffe! Even more reason to separate them! So many zoos have mixed exhibits these days. What works fine in the wild may be a really bad idea in captivity.
