Photo Credit: Matt Roszyk
San Miguel has its fair share of secrets, and if you’ve been here long enough, you’ve probably heard this one: there’s a zebra living in the hills. Not a painted pony, not a tourist stunt, an actual zebra, running free with the wild horses in the Picachos.
People have been spotting it since 2020, especially out near Alcocer. Ask around and someone will tell you they’ve seen the stripes flash against the desert brush. Some even say it’s fathered a half donkey offspring with the burro that lives on a farm nearby.
UPDATE: The owner of the half zebra, half donkey (Zonkey) offspring, reached out to us to not only confirm that part of the story but also sent photo proof. Unfortunately the Zonkey passed away earlier this year but the owner Amber, noted, “he will be remembered with love.”
PHOTOS OF THE ZONKEY, WHO PASSED AWAY THIS PAST YEAR, SENT IN BY ITS OWNER, AMBER NIETO.
It makes sense when you think about it. Exotic animals aren’t exactly rare here. Everyone knows the powerful have their private collections, tigers, ostriches, even monkeys, and if you really want to test the limits, the pet shop on Canal can special-order you an alligator. A zebra feels downright reasonable. One probably slipped the fences years ago and decided life in the wild was better.
And maybe it is. Out there with the mustangs, the zebra has become part of the herd. Locals joke that the other horses must be jealous. While they’re busy flicking tails and stomping at flies, the zebra stands unbothered, science says the stripes confuse the pests.
So if you’re hiking the mountains and catch a glimpse of something striped moving through the dust, don’t second-guess it. Around here, the wildest stories have a way of being true.
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Author: Savant Editors
We're Savant, San Miguel de Allende’s new online lifestyle and culture magazine. Created for curious travelers, locals, and design and food lovers alike, Savant offers curated stories and an authentic look into the people, places, and passions that shape this iconic town. More than a publication, it’s a cultural community, and your invitation to experience San Miguel like never before.
