Apr 26, 2014 10:23 AM EDT
Science Says the 'Zonkey' Born This Week Should Not Exist (VIDEO)

Life will indeed find a way.

While scientists have long thought that zebra and donkey chromosomes are not compatible, the Reynosa Zoo in northern Mexico recently welcomed a "zonkey," the offspring of a zebra and a dwarf albino donkey, The Independent reported.

Called "Khumba," the unique foal with striped legs was born after its zebra mother visited the blue-eyed donkey, whose name is Ignacio, on a nearby farm.

Its unexpected appearance follows the birth of "Ippo," a zonkey born last year in Florence, Italy. Ippo came to be after his father, a zebra, jumped a fence to make his way into the donkey enclosure, according to The Independent.

The unusual "zonkey" mix has also been found in Japan, China and the United States, Fox News Latino reported.

Back in 2001, a Shetland pony in the U.K. produced a half-zebra foal, according to BBC News. The pony named "Tilly" had been living in the field of a wildlife park with a male zebra.

The breed is unexpected because horses have 64 chromosomes compared to the zebra's 44. The resulting foal will have a chromosomal count somewhere in between.

In the BBC News report, an expert told the outlet that offspring can only come to be if the zebra and its smaller number of chromosomes is on the male side; however, Khumba's birth earlier this week contradicts that analysis.

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