Meet Britain’s second ever Zonkey – an adorable cross between a zebra and a donkey.
Zippy, an ultra-rare Zebra-Donkey crossbreed was born on October 2 on Kristine Turner’s 55-acre farm in South Barrow, Somerset.
His mother Ziggy, a six-year-old zebra, was bought for £10,000 from Germany and shares the fields with nine donkeys.
Despite desperately wanting Ziggy becoming a mother, Kristine gave up hope years ago – until Rag, a four-year-old donkey, showed interest.
There is thought to be only one other zonkey in Britain, called Zambi, which lives on a donkey sanctuary in Shropshire.
Mum-of-two Kristine, 39, said: “I’ve always wanted it to happen but a few years ago I gave up hoping.
“Raj and Ziggy have been on the farm for years
“Ziggy has always been a bit porky so I didn’t notice she was getting any bigger.
“It was a complete surprise.
“Last month I opened my bedroom curtains, which look onto the farm, and I just saw this little foal sitting up staring my way.
“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.
“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.”
By Olive Loveridge-Greene & Joe Mellor