 The quagga ( / <unk> / or / <unk> / ) ( Equus quagga quagga ) is an extinct subspecies of plains zebra that lived in South Africa until the 19th century . It was long thought to be a distinct species , but genetic studies have shown it to be the southernmost subspecies of plains zebra . It is considered particularly close to Burchell 's zebra . Its name is derived from its call , which sounds like " kwa @-@ ha @-@ ha " . 
