Mounties have a rural Alberta community on the lookout for an animal of a different stripe.

On Tuesday, Edson RCMP asked people living in the rural area of Carrot Creek to keep an eye out for a male zebra about the size of a pony.

Zebra reported missing from Alberta farm.
(Police handout)

Const. Curtis Peters said Zebastian doesn't have the usual black and white stripes, which is why police are appealing to the public for help.

"If anybody in the public has seen a funny-looking horse or pony that looks like a zebra, but brown and black, maybe now they'll realize that it is in fact a zebra, and if they've seen it they can let us know."

The zebra was reported missing on Dec. 9 from a farm that was looking after the animal for its Calgary owner. Zebastian was supposed to be transferred to an exotic animal farm.

Police aren't sure whether it wandered off or it was stolen.

Peters said Zebastian is somewhat domesticated but people should not approach him.

"He still has a bit of a wild nature. So he's not your average, run-of-the-mill horse. You shouldn't run up and try and pet him."

Edson is about 100 kilometres west of Edmonton.