Foal in love with Werribee Open Range Zoo's newest arrival

Filly, Zola – meaning quiet or tranquil in Zulu – was born last week to mum, Zaide, and joins siblings, Mudhe and Zari, on the Zoo’s lower savannah.

Savannah keeper Lauren Irving said Zola is making herself at home alongside the 13 other African species that share her habitat, including Southern white rhino, Giraffe and Ostriches.

“Zola is not straying far from mum Zaide’s side at the moment,” said Ms Irving. “If she’s anything like her mother, she will grow up to be an incredibly confident and assertive zebra.”

Zebras are classified as near-threatened in the wild, with their numbers declining due to habitat destruction, poaching and competition with agriculture.

Ms Irving said the zebras at Werribee Open Range Zoo form part of a regional breeding program to maintain an insurance population in the fight against extinction.

“This precious filly is already doing a fantastic job of educating our visitors as an ambassador for her wild cousins,” said Ms Irving. “She doesn’t know it, but she and her family serve a critical role in the survival of her species.”