Wildlife experts in Kenya have come up with a barcode scanner that can read zebras, and hope that this will prove to be of great assistance in their ongoing programme of conservation.

The equipment has been leased from a company which supplies a leading supermarket chain, and technicians are currently working to adapt the software to its new use.

The project has been proceeding well, but there remain one or two technical hiccups; most of the zebras read fine, but there are still a few stubborn animals that scan through as 'Freshly Tinned Garden Peas - Half Price'.