At a glance
- IUCN category
- EX · Extinct
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Trend unknown
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The quagga was a southern African zebra, striped only on the front half of its body, that was hunted to extinction in the 19th century. It is assessed as Extinct.
The last known quagga died in an Amsterdam zoo in 1883.
Range & habitat
Formerly the grasslands of South Africa.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Hunting for hides and meat
- Competition with livestock
- Loss of grazing land
Why it matters
Hunted out within a human lifetime, the quagga is a classic case of extinction by overhunting — and the inspiration for a selective-breeding project to recreate its look.
Sources
Sources for Quagga
- IUCN Red List — look up Quagga (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the quagga look like?
It was a zebra with bold stripes on its head and neck that faded into a plain brown rear, unlike the fully striped plains zebra. It is now considered a subspecies/population of the plains zebra.
Is the quagga being brought back?
A South African project selectively breeds plains zebras for quagga-like reduced striping, but this recreates the appearance rather than reviving the exact extinct animal. The quagga itself is assessed as Extinct.
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