Growth does not appear to hamper zebra’s mobility

SATARA – A very strange sight was captured by a visitor to the Satara Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park (KNP) over the Easter weekend.
Mr Tanya Roos and her husband, Henro, took photos of a zebra with a huge reddish growth, about the size of a soccer ball, under its belly. “We were so shocked and couldn’t believe what was in front of our own eyes. Worst of all was that it didn’t seem to trouble the zebra. It just ran across the H1-3 road between Satara and Tshokwane right in front of us with absolute ease.”
Lowvelder spoke to Dr Danny Govender, an ecologist at the scientific services in Skukuza, who said that the growth was a hernia that could have developed after a kick from another zebra. “It is a female zebra and it does look like a herniation. The fluid in this ball-like growth will possibly be absorbed by the body or the bag might rapture and drain.” Govender added that zebra were quite immune and tough regarding diseases and injuries. “I did consider that it could be a tumour but that will be painful and slow the zebra down, so I don’t think that is the case.”
It seemed uncomfortable to the visitors, and it was clear that it would eventually slow the zebra down. Tanya told Lowvelder that she had one request, “I would like to hear what happened to the animal if it is at all possible.”