Three zebras that escaped from the Hearst Ranch in California were shot to death by neighboring ranchers who claim the exotic animals were threatening their horses and cattle.
The animals are descendants of zebras brought to the San Simeon estate of William Randolph Hearst in 1923 as part of the publisher's private zoo. About 80 zebras currently wander the property around Hearst Castle, and three escaped last week.
Green Valley Cattle Co. owner David Fiscalini said he shot two of the zebras because they were chasing seven horses on his property about 10 miles from the Hearst Ranch. The third zebra was shot by another neighbor after it got into a herd of cows.
After shooting the animals, Fiscalini took them to a taxidermist to have their hides tanned, he told the San Luis Obispo Tribune. He didn't want to waste the hides, he said.
William Randolph Hearst's great-grandson, Steve Hearst, said the ranchers should have called the Hearst Ranch to report the runaway zebras.
"`Neighbors are usually there to help their neighbors, not shoot their zebras," Hearst said. "It's a shame they took that action."
