Shown here are Mrs. Robert C. Winmill and Nderu, a Burchell Zebra. Nderu arrived from Kenya in June of 1930. Nderu was named for the native word for "whiskers". This particular type of zebra is rarely tamed.

The zebra was treated as a family pet and often taken into the house to share hors d'oeuvres and drinks with the Winmill guests. Bobby Winmill often drove her to nearby race meets, pulling one of their pony carts.

Nderu would often sneak into the stables and steal the horses' oats. The zebra was reported to have a strong odor. Viola's old hunter (also named "Whiskers") once gave the zebra a well earned kick and caused her to lose an eye. Afterwards, anything approaching the zebra on her near side was in danger of being kicked.

In April of 1935, Nderu attacked some neighbors while they were riding through a field on the Winmill farm. She knocked the rider off his horse and jumped on him once he'd hit the ground. Fortunately he was not seriously injured.

There are two theories explaining this incident. One, Nderu had reached maturity and regressed to her innate savage habits. Two, since she had been kicked in the head, resulting in her partial blindness, her temperament had changed. Nderu was subsequently sent to reside in the zoo in Washington, DC where she spent many happy years with her own kind.