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Birth of Persian Zebras in Semnan offers hope against extinction
Bahram-Ali Zaheri, speaking on Monday, announced that recent assessments show the park is now home to 36 Persian zebras. Of these, approximately 11 are premature, while the rest are mature, Borna news agency reported.
“Mid-spring marks the start of the zebra birthing season,” Zaheri said. “This year, births began at an ideal time in Kavir National Park, giving us hope that we might break the extinction code for this valuable species.”
Zaheri explained that Persian zebras reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction at three years old. With 11 juveniles currently in the park, there is optimism that the population will stabilize at over 50 individuals as these zebras mature.
He emphasized the importance of genetic diversity in preventing genetic disorders and maintaining the health of the species. Last year, an adult male zebra was relocated from Turan National Park in Shahrud to Kavir National Park to introduce genetic variation. This initiative will be repeated this year.
The Persian zebra, a notable single-hoofed herbivore, had been extinct in Kavir National Park for around 30 years. Efforts to reintroduce the species began with captive breeding, followed by release into the wild.
The Persian zebra is a subspecies of the Asian zebra, which once had a vast population across the Middle East, Central Asia, and China. However, its numbers have drastically declined, with the species now extinct in many of these regions.
Persian zebras have a low reproduction rate. Typically, only one out of three foals survives. Male foals are particularly vulnerable as adult males do not accept and often kill them. This behavior, coupled with a long gestation period and the rarity of twin births, has contributed to the decline in their
population.