A farm in Somerset has welcomed a rare cross between a zebra and a donkey known as a "zonkey".
Zippy was born on Kristine Turner’s 55-acre farm in South Barrow, Somerset.
Until his arrival on 2 October, there was thought to be only one other zonkey in Britain. Zambi lives on a donkey sanctuary in Shropshire.
Zippy's mother Ziggy, a six-year-old zebra, was bought for £10,000 from Germany and shares the fields with nine donkeys including his father Rag.
Ms Turner said that Zippy's arrival was a complete surprise to her as she didn't realise that Ziggy was pregnant.
“Last month I opened my bedroom curtains, which look onto the farm, and I just saw this little foal sitting up staring my way," she said. “I was in complete shock. I ran downstairs in my PJs, put a coat on and went over to see him.
“He seemed like a right little character and has had a personality from day one."
She added: “He’s half a wild animal so he’ll nip and kick me a tiny bit but in a cheeky way. Then he’ll dash off. He has quite a fitting name really. He’s calmed down a bit now as he lets me brush him. Ziggy has really taken to motherhood and she's a great mum. He's never out of her sight. They wander round the farm and do everything together. Rag tends to keep out the way.
“It was a completely natural process. It wasn’t as if I forced them together and was trying to engineer it. I bred Rag on the farm four years ago so I had years thinking it was never going to happen - despite really wanting it too.
“I'm just so happy. Zippy is just a little miracle.”
SWNS
