The quagga was originally thought to be an individual species in 1778. Because of the variation in coat patterns (no two zebras are alike) it was hard to determine which animals were true species,subspecies or variants. Before all the particulars were sorted out the quagga had been hunted to extinction for meat,hides and to preserve feed for domesticated stock. The last wild quagga was probably shot in the late 1870's,the last specimen in captivity died August 12,1883.
The quagga was the first extinct creature to have its DNA studied,and recent genetic research has revealed it not to be a separate species but a sub-species of the plains zebra. The quagga lived in the drier parts of South Africa on grassland.
The good news is the Quagga Project was started (1932-2006) in South Africa by selective breeding from plains zebra stock. In January,2005 Henry was born the first quagga like foal,the goal of the project is to restore the quagga into their natural habitat.
The quagga was the first extinct creature to have its DNA studied,and recent genetic research has revealed it not to be a separate species but a sub-species of the plains zebra. The quagga lived in the drier parts of South Africa on grassland.
The good news is the Quagga Project was started (1932-2006) in South Africa by selective breeding from plains zebra stock. In January,2005 Henry was born the first quagga like foal,the goal of the project is to restore the quagga into their natural habitat.
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