The zebra mother demonstrated her extreme loyalty when she stood alongside her deceased foal, in spite of the threat of a pack of wild dogs.
The poignant, heartbreaking moment was filmed by Linda du Plessis.
Zebra foal lies dead at the side of the road
It is unclear what results in the death of the zebra foal. It lay at the side of the road, unmoving.
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More tragically so, the foal’s mother could be seen standing in the long grass nearby. She stood with her attention fixed into the distance, and it was soon evident why.
Wild dogs head down road towards zebra
A pack of yipping wild dogs could be seen coming down the road. They trotted along with a sense of purpose. Wild dogs are seldom Lone Rangers, and these wild dogs entered the scene as something of a ‘gang’.
They walked alongside one another and had sighted the zebras in the vicinity.
Zebra mother stands her ground
The zebra mother in question refused to budge. She stood steadfast, and turned her head to watch the approaching threat.
However, nothing could scare her away from watching over her baby. The tiny foal’s lifeless form at the side of the road was heartbreaking. This mother clearly loved her little one and remained as committed to it in its death, as she had been while it was alive.
Even when the wild dog pack skulked closer, she stood statuesque in the long grass. She remained committed to motherhood, and wasn’t about to let these wild dogs touch her foal.
The wild dogs continued to head in her direction, however, she stood firm.
Zebra mother retaliates against wild dog pack’s approach
When the wild dogs dared come too close to where the mother stood alongside her little one’s lifeless body, she turned in retaliation.
She lunged forward, stomping down on her hooves to intimidate the dogs. Her efforts were successful.
Zebras are highly protective mothers, especially during the first few weeks of a foal’s life. Foals are able to stand and run within an hour of birth, an adaptation that helps them escape predators.
Despite their strong maternal instincts, zebras face heavy predation from carnivores including lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and African wild dogs. A mother zebra may kick, bite, or charge at predators, and her powerful hind legs can inflict serious injuries.
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A heartbreaking, heroic moment
The mother’s loyalty was both heartbreaking and heroic. She singlehandedly kept the wild dogs at bay, and her love for her foal was greater than her fear of the wild dogs.
A zebra mare showing protective behaviour toward her dead foal is a powerful reminder of the strong bond between mother and offspring. Even after a foal has died, a mother zebra may remain nearby, stand guard, and aggressively chase away predators or scavengers such as African wild dogs.
This behaviour is driven by maternal instincts and may continue for hours or even days while the mare gradually recognises that the foal cannot be revived.