In the news last week was the discovery of an unusual-looking foal alongside its mum (a stray zebra) in the Chyulu Hills National Park in Kenya.

Animal rescue organisation, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, were called in to re-home the wayward zebra, and only recently noticed the unusual markings on the foal, which led to identifying it as an extremely rare donkey-zebra hybrid - a zonkey.

Check out some information on other hybrid animals, and investigate or create some of your own - either real or fictional (just look at the ancient Greek myths) ... there are plenty of examples out there to refer to and read about. For older children this is a good way to instigate discussions around the ethics of cross-bred animals and mixing human and animal biology.

Hybrid Animals Facts - Aimed at primary school children

Monsters and Creatures of Greek Mythology - A summary for primary school children

Real or Fake? 8 Bizarre Hybrid Animals - Aimed at upper primary/ secondary students

Creatures and Monsters from Greek Mythology - Aimed at upper primary/ secondary students

The mixed-up world of hybrid animals - Aimed at secondary students

The uneasy truth about human-animal hybrids - Aimed at secondary students and adults

Top Ten: Most Terrifying Monsters Of Greek Mythology - Aimed at secondary students and adults