A herd of Burchell’s Zebras (Equus quagga burchellii) along the Chobe River, Botswana. Adobe Stock, by David W Shaw
Migrating in Color
PRESENTS
Burchell’s Zebra
By Warren T. Planker
World Nature Conservation Day
Burchell’s Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) has the longest migration of any land animal in Africa. This impressive species’ remarkable journey begins with the rainy season in the Chobe River in Namibia and leads south to the Nxai Salt Pan in Botswana. Burchells cover a hundred and fifty miles in the first two weeks of their migration. They then winter in Nxai Pan National Park and return north to Namibia for the dry season.
Burchell’s Zebra, Equus quagga burchellii, running with yellow golden grass. Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana, Africa. Adobe Stock, by Ondrej Prosicky
Zebras are among nature’s most well-known animals, with their easily recognizable contrasting black and white stripes. They are an equine species with long elongated heads, erect short-hair manes, and tufted tails.
Burchell’s Zebras’ natural habitat includes grasslands, scrub, and woodlands, with a preference for open land. They are herbivores that primarily feed on grass, with a smaller portion of their diet being leaves and stems. Burchells spend most of their time grazing and traveling along their migratory routes.
Plains Zebra or Common Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) swimming across a river. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Tanzania. Adobe Stock, by Roger de la Harpe
The annual migration of Burchell’s Zebras covers over three hundred miles of African plains. It is a dangerous route with many predators waiting to pick them off, including African wild dogs, cheetahs, crocodiles, leopards, lions, and spotted hyenas. Threats to this species include loss of habitat and overhunting. Even with the dangers they face, Burchell’s Zebras are not classified as endangered. Their population is decreasing, giving cause for concern, but they are being watched and studied.
Portrait of three plains zebra (Equus burchellii) in herd, Serengeti national park, Tanzania. Adobe Stock, by Andreanita
Burchell’s Zebra is among the finest migratory animals in the world trekking through one of nature’s harshest environments.
Migrating in Color
By Warren T. Planker
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A photographic journey along the migration routes of the world’s most fascinating species with some of the wildest road warriors this side of the universe. In color and in style.
