Zebra-donkey hybrid born at preserve

DAHLONGEA, Ga., July 28 (UPI) -- Officials with a Georgia wildlife preserve said they were welcoming the arrival of a baby zedonk, a hybrid between a zebra and a donkey.

C.W. Wathen, founder and general manager of the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve in Dahlongea, said the zedonk was born Jul 22 to a donkey mother and resembles a donkey in the face, but bears the stripes of zebra on the legs, the Gainesville (Fla.) Times reported Wednesday.

"The animals have been running (in the fields) together for more than 40 years, but this is the first time that this has happened here," Wathen said. "We never suspected that they (had mated), so it was quite a surprise when the zedonk was born.

"White tigers are more of our calling card, but this is one of the most unique animals that has ever been born here," he said.

Wathen said the baby will begin wandering the preserve with its mother, father and other animals -- including a camel -- in about two weeks.