They found increased levels of inbreeding among zebra populations with unusual patterns on their coats. According to the study, the total population of plains zebras has declined by about 25 per cent since 2002. And the fact that it seems like, from our research, that a lot of that is happening because of [habitat] fragmentation, because of human population. We certainly in our paper saw a correlation between human population levels and the degree to which there was inbreeding. Larison says she is concerned about the impacts of human activity on zebra populations.

Source: CBC News April 01, 2021 19:13 UTC