Region: Kunene and Etosha National Park
Description: The Mountain Zebra Project is co-ordinated by Professor Morris Gosling of the University of Newcastle, UK, in partnership with landowners and conservationists who share the aims of mountain zebra conservation, of scientifically based management, and of affection for this tough and charismatic species. The Project started in 2005 in Gondwana Canyon Park and the neighboring/Ai-/Ais National Park and, in order to provide comparative information in areas of different rainfall, has subsequently expanded to NamibRand Nature Reserve, the Namib Naukluft National Park, the Gondwana Namib Park, Büllsport Guest Farm, the Solitaire Land Trust, the Hobatere Tourist Concession area and Etosha National Park. Hartmann’s mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) is Namibia’s only large mammal endemic (except for small numbers in southern Angola and northern RSA) and is a Specially Protected Species in Namibia.  It is a subspecies of mountain zebra and together with the Cape mountain zebra (E.z.zebra) in South Africa is of global conservation importance (IUCN Red List Category: Vulnerable).   While Hartmann’s populations in Namibia are healthier and more widespread than Cape mountain zebra, they are vulnerable to severe droughts, particularly where fences prevent movement to scarce grazing. 

Time: 2005 – ongoing
Donor: Rufford Foundation, Parc Zoologique de Montpellier, Gaia Nature Fund.
Partners: Namibia Nature Foundation, Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), Gondwana Canyon Park, Ai-Ais/Fish River National Park, NamibRand Nature Reserve, Büllsport Guest Farm, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Gondwana Namib Park, Solitaire Land Trust, Schlesien EarthUnearth Conservation, Hobatere Tourist Concession and Etosha National Park, University of Newcastle.

Contact person: Professor Morris Gosling (morris.gosling@newcastle.ac.uk)