A campaign to save the world's most endangered zebra species from extinction has been launched.

Marwell Wildlife conservationists have started the 'Save Our Stripes' campaign to protect the Grevy's zebra, with fewer than 3,000 left in the wild.

The species is threatened by habitat loss, droughts, competition with livestock and infrastructure development.

Marwell, which has been at the forefront of Grevy's zebra conservation for more than 20 years, is urging supporters to back this year's £16,000 Big Give campaign.

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The species is threatened by habitat loss.The species is threatened by habitat loss. (Image: Marwell Wildlife) Donations made by the public will be doubled, thanks to the generosity of businesses and philanthropists.

Every penny raised during the week of April 22 to 29 will be matched up to £8,000 by the Big Give's Green Match Fund.

This will be used by Marwell's conservation experts to mobilise local scouts to monitor and safeguard the Grevy's zebra population in northern Kenya.

This region, home to the majority of the remaining wild population, is where Marwell operates a dedicated in-country team, including a programme manager, field coordinator, three field assistants and 24 community scouts.

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Marwell Wildlife CEO Laura Read, currently visiting the charity's projects in Kenya, said: "We must act now to save the Grevy's zebra for the future.

"The species was once widespread across east Africa but numbers have declined by over 75 per cent since the 1970s.

"With public support during this crucial fundraising week, we will be able to support our network of scouts and the communities that they are from.

"We are also keen to explore exciting new strands of the project that will involve more women and girls in Grevy’s zebra conservation as well as fund additional local school outreach programmes."

The funding will be used to mobilise local scouts.The funding will be used to mobilise local scouts. (Image: Marwell Wildlife) The funds raised will support the scouts in Kenya to deliver wildlife monitoring and community engagement, while also offering them vital literacy and numeracy training.

Using camera traps and GPS-enabled phones, scouts will collect crucial data on zebra populations, water sources, grazing sites and injured animals.

This information will feed into Kenya's national database, helping inform long-term conservation plans.

Marwell's Grevy's zebra programme lead Tanya Langenhorst, who manages both the International Studbook and European breeding programme for the species, said: "This project is about much more than saving a species.

"It’s about creating a sustainable, community-led conservation model where people and wildlife not only coexist but thrive side by side.

"Every penny goes a long way in Kenya, so if you’re able to give anything, it really would make a huge difference."