What was the likely practical intent behind early, intentional breeding of Zonkey-like animals regarding working utility?

To develop a working animal combining the endurance of the donkey with the disease resistance of the zebra.

Historical documentation suggests that the early, deliberate efforts to create zebra-donkey hybrids were not merely driven by a pursuit of novelty or spectacle, but rather by practical, utilitarian goals. Zebras possess a natural hardiness and exhibit significant resilience against certain African diseases, notably those transmitted by the Tsetse fly. Early breeders likely aimed to combine this inherent disease resistance from the zebra sire with the established domestication, endurance, and proven ability to handle heavy loads characteristic of the donkey. The resulting hybrid was envisioned as a more robust and durable pack animal capable of withstanding challenging environments, a practical benefit distinct from the modern motivation often focused on captive exhibition.