| Scientific
Name: Equus asinus somaliensis
Size: 1.2 metres at shoulder
Weight: 200 kgs
IUCN Endangered Species?: Critically
Endangered
Estimated Wild Population: 300
Distribution: Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia,
Eritrea
Description: The
African wild ass was the ancestor of the domestic donkey.
One major reason why the African wild ass has become so rare is
that it has bred with domestic donkeys so there are very few pure bred
individuals remaining. Often,
only DNA tests can reveal whether an animal is truly pure bred or not.
Sightings are not a very accurate way of determining how many
Somali wild asses still exist. Although it is a desert-adapted animal,
it still requires access to drinking water and this brings it into
contact with domestic animals. Ongoing
civil war and competition with livestock have also played their part in
its demise.
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