Perissodactyla Id code: amd136Equidae Equus zebra Linnaeus, 1758 (Eng) Mountain zebra (Fre) Zèbre de montagne Taxonomic notes Two subspecies are generally recognised: E. z. hartmannae (Hartmann’s mountain zebra) and E. z. zebra (Cape mountain zebra) (Duncan, 1992). IUCN threat category Endangered (EN: criteria A1b) both as E. zebra and (EN: criteria C2a) as E. z. zebra (Cape mountain zebra) in South Africa. Available information The species has been quite intensely studied throughout its range of distribution. Habitat use and preferences were investigated in the Mountain Zebra National Park, South Africa (Novellie, 1994; Winkler & Owen-Smith, 1995) and in Namibia (Joubert, 1973), while Kok & Nel (1996) focused on the influence of water availability on its density in the Namib Desert. Causes of seasonal migrations were analysed in the Mountain Zebra National Park (South Africa) by Novellie et al. (1988), who also gives some information on its feeding habits. Aspects of its behaviour and reproduction are described by Lloyd & Rasa (1989) and Penzhorn (1984, 1985).The species' distribution in South Africa is well documented (De Graaff & Rautenbach, 1983; Gelderblom & Bronner, 1995; Lynch, 1989; Siegfried & Brown (1992); some information on its distribution in Namibia is found in Viljoen (1982). Very complete sources of information on the ecology and distribution of the species are Mills & Hes (1997), Penzhorn (1988) and Skinner & Smithers (1990). The ecology of the species is also described in Estes (1991), Kingdon (1997) and Stuart & Stuart (1997). Status and distribution are discussed in Duncan (1991, 1992). The latter gives also some information on its ecology, particularly its habitat requirements. Known extent of occurrence 
Formerly continuously distributed along the mountainous region of Namibia and South Africa, the mountain zebra is currently present in isolated sub-populations (Wilson & Reeder, 1993). They have been reintroduced both within protected areas and private lands in various localities (Duncan, 1992; Penzhorn, 1988). A first rough distribution map was obtained by joining the two maps in Penzhorn (1988) and Duncan (1992); this was then revised to match the protected areas network (Fig. 5.1.4.a). Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model This species occurs in uplands, in bushy Karoo shrublands and in grassland communities. It also penetrates deep into the desert. Water bound (Skinner & Smithers, 1990; Estes, 1991; Penzhorn, 1988; Duncan, 1992). Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 5.1.4.b) (5.1.4.a):
Tab 5.1.4.a: Cumulative size (km 2) of areas pertaining to each environmental suitability class within the Extent of Occurrence.
Tab 5.1.4.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes. Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 5.1.4.c. Validation No occurrence of the species within the four sample areas. Comments and conservation issues The species is restricted to a few well known areas in Namibia and South Africa: the natural range appears to be generally suitable (36% suitable and 46% moderately suitable), as well as the area where the species has been re-introduced. Within these EO fragments there is not much further fragmentation due to the availability of suitable vegetation types. Both models shows that outside the present fragments there would be wide potential areas to which the species could expand if allowed to by humans. Currently, about 10% of the total natural AO is included in protected areas and indeed most of the existing populations occur within these protected areas and a few other reserves; the species is classified as Endangered.
Tab 5.1.4.c: Percent of environmental suitability classes within EO (as obtained from the categorical-discrete distribution model) inside and outside the protected areas. References De Graaff G., Rautenbach I.L. (1983). A survey of mammals in the newly proclaimed Karoo National Park, South Africa. Ann Mus Roy Afr Cent: 237, 89-99. Duncan P. (1991). Report . IUCN/SSC Equid Specialist Group: 16, 59. Duncan P. (Ed.) (1992). Zebras, Asses, and Horses. An Action Plan for the Conservation of Wild Equids. IUCN/SSC Equid Specialist Group. Estes R.D. (1991). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. The University of California Press. Gelderblom C.M., Bronner G.N. (1995). Patterns of distribution and current protection status of the endemic mammals in South Africa. In: Anonymous (1995). Vertebrate Conservation in South Africa. Papers presented at the ZSSA symposium, July 1994. S. Afr. J. Zool.: 30(3), 127-135. Joubert E. (1973). Habitat prefence, distribution and status of the Hartmann zebra Equus zebra hartmannae in South West Africa. Madoqua: Ser 1(7), 5-15. Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World. Kok O.B., Nel J.A.J. (1996). The Kuiseb river as a linear oasis in the Namib desert. Afr. J. Ecol.: 34(1), 39-47. Lloyd P.H., Rasa O.A.E. (1989). Status, reproductive success and fitness in Cape mountain zebras (Equus zebra zebra). Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol.: 25, 411-420. Lynch C.D. (1989). The mammals of the north-east Cape Province. Mem. van die Nasionale Mus., Bloemfontein: 25, 1-116. Mills G., Hes L. (1997). The complete book of Southern African mammals. Struik Publishers. Novellie P.A. (1994). Monitoring the condition of mountain zebra habitat in the Mountain Zebra National Park. Koedoe: 37(1), 35-39. Novellie P.A., Fourie L.J., Kok O.B., van der Westhuizen M.C. (1988). Factors affecting the seasonal movements of Cape mountain zebras in the Mountain Zebra National Park. S. Afr. J. Zool.: 23 (1), 13-19. Penzhorn B.L. (1984). A long-term study of social organisation and behaviour of Cape mountain zebras Equus zebra zebra. Z. Tierpsychol.: 64, 97-146. Penzhorn B.L. (1985). Reproduction characteristics of a free ranging population of Cape Mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra). J. Reprod. Fert.: 73, 51-57. Penzhorn B.L. (1988). Equus zebra. Mammalian Species: 314, 1-7. Penzhorn B.L., Novellie P.A. (1991). Some behavioural traits of Cape mountain zebras (Equus zebra zebra) and their implications for the management of a small conservation area. Appl Anim Behav Sci: 29, 293-299. Siegfried W.R., Brown C.A. (1992). The distribution and protection of mammals endemic to southern Africa. S. Afr. J. Wildl. Res.: 22 (1), 11-16. Skinner J.D., Smithers R.H.N. (1990). The mammals of the Southern African subregion. University of Pretoria, Pretoria. Stuart C., Stuart T. (1997). Field guide to the larger mammals of Africa. Struik Publishers. Viljoen P.J. (1982). The distribution and population status of the larger mammals in Kaokoland, South West Africa/Namibia. Cimbebasia: A 7, 7-33. Wilson D.E., Reeder D.M. (Eds) (1993). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. Winkler A., Owen-Smith N. (1995). Habitat utilisation by cape mountain zebras in the Mountain Zebra National Park, South Africa. Koedoe: 38(1), 83-93.
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