Meet Tira: The World's rarest 'polka-dot zebra' found in Kenya's Masai Mara

Polka-dot zebra foal spotted in Kenya’s Masai Mara (Image: Masai Mara National Reserve)

In Kenya's Masai Mara, the extraordinary zebra has drawn the world's attention. Tira, the foal that stands out from all others, has polka-dot instead of striped markings. Found by local guide Anthony Tira in 2017, the foal's abnormality has amazed scientists and visitors.

Tira is a plains zebra, or Equus quagga. Unlike standard zebras, Tira's coat exhibits brown fur with white spots, or polka-dot markings. This unusual pattern is due to pseudomelanism, an inherited condition influencing melanin distribution in the fur. The foal also has a short, hairless tail, unlike normal zebra tails. Although other spotted zebras have been spotted in Botswana, Tira is an exceptional case in the Masai Mara.

Survival Against the Odds

Such unique colouration usually exposes zebras to increased predation pressure. Lions can easily identify them in open terrain, and it becomes a challenge to survive. Tira still lives on, a cause of hope for nature's diversity and resilience.

Global Attention and Significance

Wildlife photographers and wildlife enthusiasts have captured Tira extensively, referencing the foal's incredible genetic diversity. Scientists comment that every zebra's stripe is as distinctive as fingerprints. Tira's polka-dot stripes render this foal one of the first recorded cases of pseudomelanism in the Masai Mara. Its discovery enriches knowledge of genetic diversity and fascinates viewers globally.