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An orphaned baby zebra at Izmir Natural Life Park has formed an unexpected bond with the park’s giraffes after losing her mother at just three months old.
The young zebra, named Gozde, is being cared for by veterinarians and keepers at the park, which is run by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and houses about 1,800 animals from 140 species.
After being bottle-fed by staff, Gozde began spending time in the open area with giraffes rather than joining the zebra herd, according to the municipality’s statement cited by Anadolu.
Veterinarian Duygu Aldemir said staff had expected Gozde to join the zebra herd, as zebras are social animals that usually live and move together in groups.
"Zebras are animals that move in herds and support and protect one another. For that reason, we wanted her to join the zebra herd, but something happened that surprised us very much," Aldemir said.
“After releasing Gozde into the area, we saw that she wanted to become close friends not with the zebras, but with the giraffes,” she added.
Aldemir said Gozde may have chosen the bond because she feels safe around the giraffes. Staff believe the animals had already built a connection through the fence before they began sharing the same space.
“Thanks to the communication they had established from behind the fence, Gozde became the giraffes’ closest friend. She walks around the area with them. They also protect and watch over Gozde. Right now, she has very cool friends,” Aldemir said.
Izmir Natural Life Park, one of the city’s major wildlife attractions, provides care for animals across 140 species.
The municipality also said one of the park’s six bears, named Simarik, gave birth in her den during the winter months, according to Natural Life Branch Manager Serkan Egrilmez.
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