A species brought back from the brink of extinction – At Lewa, they have been given the space and protection they need to flourish.
In the heart of Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a remarkable conservation success story is unfolding: the Grevy’s zebra population is not just holding steady—it’s thriving. Once pushed to the brink by habitat loss and poaching, these endangered equines are now making a comeback, thanks to sustained community-led protection and habitat restoration. Here’s a closer look at what’s driving this hopeful trend and what it means for the future of one of Africa’s most striking striped species.
A Species on the Edge
The Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) is the largest of the three zebra species, known for its narrow stripes, large rounded ears, and white belly. It once roamed widely across the Horn of Africa, but today its range is confined to northern Kenya and small pockets of Ethiopia. The global population has plummeted from an estimated 15,000 in the 1970s to fewer than 3,000 mature individuals today, according to the IUCN Red List, which classifies the species as Endangered.
Why Lewa Matters
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage site spanning over 62,000 acres in northern Kenya, has become a vital stronghold for Grevy’s zebra. As of the most recent surveys in 2025, Lewa is home to roughly 850 Grevy’s zebra — one of the largest single populations in the world. That’s a significant increase from around 400 individuals in 2014, representing a doubling in just over a decade. To put it in perspective: Lewa now hosts nearly 30% of the entire global population of Grevy’s zebra outside of Ethiopia.
The Numbers in Context
Here are some key statistics that highlight the progress at Lewa:
- 2014 estimate: ~400 Grevy’s zebra
- 2020 estimate: ~700 Grevy’s zebra
- 2025 estimate: ~850 Grevy’s zebra
- Total global population (2025): ~3,000 mature individuals
- Percentage of global population at Lewa: ~28–30%
