Rare Zebra Foal With Polka Dots Due to 'Melanin Disorder' Spotted in Kenyan National Reserve (See Pictures)

A newborn zebra foal has grabbed eyeballs on social media for its rare polka dot markings. The rare marking makes the baby zebra the first of its kind in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve. Antony Tira, a tour guide and photographer at Matira Bush Camp, spotted the foal while observing the park's game reserve near the Mara River. The photographer with the rare skin condition was captured earlier this month. 'Pink’ Elephant Found in South African Safari Park, Here’s Why the Calf is a Rare Specimen.

Antony Tira said, "At first I thought it was a zebra that had been captured and painted or marked for purposes of migration. I was confused when I first saw it." As the news of melanistic zebra spread, hundreds of visitors came to the park to catch a glimpse of the rare animal. Parmale Lemein, a wildlife specialist at Matira Camp said that such a zebra has not been spotted before in the park. Popular blogger Mutuma Untamed who also shared pictures of the foal said that the animal has been named after the photographer, Tira, who spotted it. Viral ‘Two-Headed Zebra’ Pic From Tanzania Has Left People Confused! (View Pics)

Check Out Pictures of The Rare Zebra Foal With Polka Dots on Skin Here:

Antony told the Daily Nation that he earlier thought the zebra had been captured and marked by wildlife officials 'for the purposes of migration'. However, as per reports, the animal has a condition called melanism, which is the opposite of albinism. The melanin disorder causes a build-up of dark pigmented melanin in the skin. According to The Star, melanistic zebras have stripes which are not developed properly. Hence then have small stripes and spots across their skin.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2019 11:57 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).