Monday, October 4, 2010

From the Biodiversity Sketch Book


The Extinct Quagga


The first time I saw a mounted Quagga in a Frankfurt museum (Germany) I was in awe in seeing an actual specimen on display (Image above)! The last free Quaggas may have been caught in 1870. It is possible a small population survived south of the Vaal River (South Africa) until about 1878, when there was a period of severe drought. The last captive Quagga, a mare, died on 12 August, 1883 in Amsterdam Zoo, where she had lived since 9 May, 1867.
The only Quagga to ever have been photographed alive was the Regent's Park Zoo mare in London. Five photographs are known, taken by Frederick York and Frank Haes in 1870. The image below is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.  Mike Leveille


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