Mountain Zebra National Park

Lore & Background

In the early 1930s, the Cape mountain zebra was threatened with extinction. The National Parks Board of Trustees proclaimed a 17.12 km² area for the zebra's preservation in July 1937 after purchasing the farm Babylons Toren, Cradock that same year. The initial population comprised only five stallions and one mare, which was insufficient to expand the population. By 1950 only two stallions remained, but neighbouring farmer H L Lombard donated eleven zebra—five stallions and six mares—improving the breeding pool.

By 1964, only 25 zebra remained in the park. The park's size was then increased to 65.36 km², and Paul Michau donated six zebra. The population grew steadily to about 140 by 1975, when zebras were re-introduced to the Western Cape at De Hoop Nature Reserve. Since 1978, capture and relocation of mountain zebra to new habitat have been routine. As of 2015, the herd has over 700 animals, with about 20 relocated each year. Additional farms have expanded the park to its current 284 km².

Other fauna include springbok, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, common eland, blesbok, mountain reedbuck, gray rhebok, greater kudu, steenbok, and klipspringer. Cape buffalo were reintroduced in 1998, and gemsbok and south-western black rhino in 2002. Carnivores include caracals, with reintroductions of Southeast African cheetah (2007), brown hyenas (2008), and lions (2013); all three are successfully breeding.

Reader's Guide

Mountain Zebra National Park is significant as a dedicated refuge for the Cape mountain zebra, a species that faced near-certain extinction in the early 20th century. The park's history illustrates a successful conservation intervention: from a founding population of just six zebra in the late 1930s, the herd has grown to over 700 animals by 2015, with ongoing relocations to establish new populations. The park also serves as a sanctuary for a wide range of other herbivores and has reintroduced larger carnivores including cheetah, brown hyena, and lion, all of which are now breeding. Its tourism infrastructure—family cottages, camping, hiking trails—supports modest visitor numbers, which grew 11.6% from 2016-2017 to 2017-2018, reaching 31,210 visitors. The park remains a model of species recovery and habitat protection within South Africa's national park system.

Did You Know?

• The park was established in July 1937 specifically to provide a nature reserve for the endangered Cape mountain zebra.
• By 1950 only two stallions remained in the park; a neighbouring farmer donated eleven zebra to improve the breeding pool.
• As of 2015, the park's zebra herd numbers over 700 animals, with about 20 relocated each year.
• Three lion were reintroduced in 2013 and are successfully breeding in the park.