Deborah Thiele launches fundraising appeal to feed surprise zebra herd

Feeding a herd of zebra was not a problem Deborah Thiele expected to face in life. But not everything is black and white.

After feeling a midlife crisis coming on, South Australian Deborah Thiele decided to go on a 12 month break and travel the world – she didn’t expect over 20 years later to be living in Kenya with 14 zebra.

After the death of her mother, with a relationship on the rocks and feeling burnt out after her workplace was disbanded, the then multicultural communicable diseases project co-ordinator decided it was time for a sea change.

Now 49, Ms Thiele is living in rural Kenya with her husband Thiemo Ebersberger, 14 zebra and five german shepherds while running Africa Expedition Support – an African expedition company.

South Australian Deborah Thiele now lives in Kenya and is raising funds to help feed the zebra that have turned up on her property. Picture: Deborah Thiele

The wild animals now share the property with a pack of German shepherds. Picture: Deborah Thiele

“I think my original fascination with Kenya was the wildlife … animals are very soothing and therapeutic,” Ms Thiele said.

In 2013 the pair moved into their “castle” on a 10 acre property, 45km south of Nairobi city, in the county of Kajiado.

The region is now in the third year of drought – with Ms Thiele having heard several cases of zebra dying of starvation and various other livestock going without food and water.

“We lost a zebra foal born at the beginning of this year, it is likely her mum was malnourished and couldn’t produce enough milk,” she said.

“It was heart breaking to see, but there was nothing we could do.

“Mother Nature can be so cruel at times.”

Ms Thiele said they watched as the mother zebra grieved the loss of her child.

“Anyone who thinks animals don’t have feelings is wrong,” she said.

And they seem right at home. Picture: Deborah Thiele

The zebras relax with the locals. Picture: Deborah Thiele

Ms Thiele said she hopes the long rains, from March to May, will replenish the dams, natural springs and rivers.

“If they (the long rains) fail, we will have to wait until November for the short rains,” she said.

“This would be disastrous for people, livestock and wildlife.

“We are waiting and hoping that this drought will finally come to an end.”

Ms Thiele said it was in August 2022 when the two wild zebra herds decided to call the property home. She thinks the blue barrel full of water in their front yard is what attracted them.

“Most days they don’t leave our front yard, they eat, drink, sleep, poo and repeat,” she said.

The pair have been feeding the zebra hay – despite it not being a natural food for them.

“Hay is not a natural food for zebra, so at first they weren’t too sure,” Ms Thiele said.

The zebra are fed three times a day – at 7am, 1pm and 4pm.

Ms Thiele said it’s not cheap feeding the zebra and providing them with water, which has led the pair to ask for help.

A load of hay to feed the guests. Picture: Deborah Thiele

They have since been receiving donations through GoFundMe, Mobile Money in Kenya, cash donations and bank deposits which go towards providing essentials to the zebra.

The couple are looking to raise enough money to pay for hay, horse pellets, rock salt and water for three more months.

“While we continue to welcome donations we know we can’t rely on this long-term,” Ms Thiele said.

Ms Thiele said she and her husband had become fond of the zebra – having named some of them based on their character.

Mischief, a stallion in one herd, was named after he broke into their veggie garden.

His wife, Pushy, was named for her determination to be fed first every day.

The herd is completed by sweet-natures Daisy and one-year-old Eddy.

The second herd consists of 10 young zebra – only a few of which have names.

“We know they will move on, so we don’t really want to get too attached,” Ms Thiele said.

“Easier said than done … we use the term ‘fostering’ simply to acknowledge they will be with us temporarily.”

Ms Thiele and her husband also have five rescue german shepherds who play well with the zebra.

“Surprisingly, the dogs tolerate the zebra quite well, despite them taking over our front yard,” she said.

The animal lover said, despite being surrounded by amazing African wildlife, her day-to-day life isn’t out of the ordinary – with most time spent on the pairs travel company.

“I spend most my time on my computer arranging fabulous holidays in East Africa for our clients (and) taking bookings for our five Airbnbs,” Ms Thiele said.

The couple are also currently co-ordinating a community project Napenda Solar Community which addresses energy poverty in East Africa’s poor rural communities.

To help Deborah and Thiemo continue to look after the zebra donate to their GoFundMe.