dmAFRICA

With their finely drawn stripes, oversized ears and bright white bellies, Grévy’s zebras are among Africa’s most distinctive — and most endangered — species. Fewer than 3,000 mature individuals remain in the wild, making every sighting an exciting privilege.

Laikipia, in Northern Kenya, has become one of the species’ most important refuges, supporting the largest single population of Grévy’s zebra on Earth. More than 800 individuals roam this landscape, accounting for a significant proportion of the global population.

These photographs were taken on a recent visit to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, one of the species’ most vital strongholds. The conservancy has played a pivotal role in protecting Grévy’s zebras through habitat conservation, community partnerships and long-term monitoring efforts. We were lucky enough to be staying at Lewa Wilderness Private Wilderness and spent a beautiful morning on horseback exploring the conservancy, where we bumped into this herd of Grévy’s. Pretty special to be up close and on horseback with such rare animals.

Seeing Grévy’s zebras at Lewa offers a perspective on what effective conservation can achieve. In a world where so many species continue to decline, Laikipia remains one of the few places where this endangered zebra still has a genuine chance to endure.

(See if you can spot the cameo from the Plains Zebra)