The Bizarre Reason Zebras Roam Free Along a California Highway

The history of one of the nation's most influential newspaper publishers is the reason for the wild zebras that roam the coast of California. Where did these zebras come from? Here is a look at this unusual story.

How a Newspaper Publisher Created an Exotic Zoo

As one of the country's most popular vacation spots, most tourists come to California to take in the miles of stunning coastline, swaying palm trees, thrilling amusement parks, and Hollywood grandeur. What they do not always expect is to come face to face with a wild zebra.

The story of how the zebras found their home along California's central coast goes back to the early 1900s. Wealthy newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst built a sprawling estate near the coastal town of San Simeon. It took almost three decades to complete the 165 rooms that make up what is now known as Hearst Castle.

In addition to the castle, the estate also featured a private ranch that stretched for about 250,000 acres. Hearst had a vision of wanting his guests to be transported to another world when they walked through the property gates. He helped to create this other universe by filling the acreage with exotic animals that were often allowed to roam across the grasslands.

Visitors to the property would delight in the freely roaming bison, camels, giraffes, elk, and zebras. The dangerous tigers, bears, and elephants were housed inside safe enclosures.

The dream lived for years until Hearst began to experience financial issues in the late 1930s as the nation's economy collapsed. It became increasingly difficult for Hearst to maintain the estate and its unique collection of exotic animals. Hearst was forced to sell most of the animals in his collection in order to maintain the rest of the estate.

However, not all of the animals left the property. Some of the zebras were allowed to stay, procreating over the years and keeping the population robust. The estate's landscape is a supportive habitat for the zebras, combining the mild coastal climate with plenty of grass for the herd to survive and grow.

Hearst's ranch is now under the direction and protection of the State of California, officially designated as a historical landmark. The protected status allows the zebras to continue to call these hills home.

Motorists traveling the famed Highway 1 near San Simeon are often taken aback when they spot the mysterious zebras grazing along the roadway. While zebras do not feel out of place in a savannah, catching a glimpse of the creatures against the landscape of the Pacific Ocean is quite the sight.

Historians note that the zebras serve as living reminders of Hearst's bold dream. Even though Hearst passed away in the early 1950s, his publishing empire and his herd of zebras live on.