Donkeys make an ass out of zebras
Keepers at a zoo in the Gaza Strip have found a creative way to draw crowds to the attraction, which lost a number of its animals during Israel's war in the Palestinian territory.
Two zebras died of starvation during the January conflict and the Marah Land zoo in Gaza City's Beitoun neighbourhood has been unable to replace them.
But to give young visitors an experience to remember, keepers have now painted two white donkeys with a zebra-like pattern.
A professional painter used French-manufactured hair colouring to make the donkeys look like zebras.
Zoo administrator Nidal Barood said his team resorted to using painted donkeys as it was too expensive to get real zebras.
In addition, the Israeli blockade of the territory made it impossible to import animals, unless they were smuggled through tunnels via Egypt.
"It is difficult to smuggle zebras, because it's not an official trade and second it's very expensive to buy two of those zebra."
Many of the children visiting the zoo on Thursday appeared delighted with a chance to see the animals up close - though some seemed to treat the donkeys with less respect than they probably would a real zebra.