A very rare breed of ‘Zorse’ lives somewhere in the Cotswolds.
A cross between a zebra stallion and a horse mare, the stripy animal is licensed to settle in the rolling hills of Gloucestershire, according to a Freedom of Information request sent by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
In 2015 it was reported that there was one Zorse in the whole of Europe living in the UK, named ‘Zulu’.
Also in the county, two Serval Cats – a small feline’s head attached to a leopard’s body – roam a plot of land in the Forest of Dean and 25 venomous snakes are slithering in Stroud, as revealed in the FOI requests.
The FOIs asked all six district councils in the county how many dangerous animal licences are held by the council, which are not held by zoos or wildlife parks.
THE ANIMALS
Forest of Dean:
One Eyelash Viper, two Pit Vipers, one Green Bush Viper, two Serval Cats, one Asian Short Clawed Otter
Tewkesbury:
Ostriches
Cotswold:
60 Ostriches, one Zorse
Stroud:
One Asian Small Clawed Otter, 25 Venomous Snakes
Gloucester:
None
Cheltenham:
None
The FOI also found that the four councils that have the animals living within their district have made a total £1,532 over the last three years raised through dangerous animal licences.
Veterinary fees cost Cotswold District Council £376 in 2016, and Forest of Dean District Council a total £468 over two years from 2016.
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