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Mrs Anne Mhidza managed to escape almost literally from “the jaws of death” after getting the zebra to release its vice-like grip by forcing open its mouth.
She is now recovering at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.

Narrating the ordeal from her hospital bed last week, Mrs Mhidza said a herd-boy employed by her family picked up the zebra while it was still a foal some 10 years ago.
She said they decided to rear it along with their cattle.

“We were shocked last week when the zebra bit one of the cows in the hind quarters as they were grazing,” she said.
“The cow bled profusely and later died. On Sunday (last week) it attacked another cow. Instinctively, I threw a brick at it.”
She said the zebra then abandoned the cow and charged at her.

“I managed to run for about 40 metres but it caught up with me. It pounced on my chest, biting off part of my breast,” she said.
“While I was calling out for help I tried to force open its mouth using my hands and it bit off my thumb!”

Mrs Mhidza’s relatives later rushed to the scene and stoned the zebra, which retreated to a nearby bush as it munched the thumb.
Villagers in the area immediately telephoned Parks and Wildlife Management Authority officials who promptly responded by dispatching a team to kill it.
Parks and Wildlife Management spokesperson Mrs Caroline Washaya-Moyo said domesticating wild animals was not only against the law but also dangerous.