9 - Identity and Conservation

Summary

The goal of the Quagga project is to breed animals “indistinguishable” from quaggas, but this is impossible as selection has been solely for coat coloration. Genetic and morphological differences exist between quaggas and other plains zebras so that in the absence of selection for these characteristics it is untenable to refer to the rebred animals as "quaggas." Even so, these animals introduced into habitats once occupied by quaggas will aid in their rewilding. The relationship between the Quagga Project and conservation is discussed from the perspective of whether funds used for rebreeding could have been more fruitfully expended to conserve endangered organisms and threatened habitats in South Africa. Nonetheless, the Quagga project has been successful in inspiring support from a variety of people and organizations; as such, it could serve as a model for conservation ventures. The challenges facing wild equines are discussed with reference to Grévy's zebras and Selous’s zebras, especially climate change, habitat loss, and hunting.