Rare Somali wild ass born in Chile zoo

There are less than 200 left in the wild, and a similar number in captivity.


A rare Somali wild ass has been born in a zoo in Chile, the fourth specimen of the critically endangered species to be born in the South American country, the zoo owner said.

The foal, named Julieta, was born in a private zoo on June 19, said Ignacio Idalsoaga, a veterinarian and founder of the zoo.

With white, striped legs similar to those of a zebra, the Somali wild ass is critically endangered in its native East Africa.

ALSO READ: Lion kills man at Ghana zoo who entered its enclosure

There are less than 200 left in the wild, and a similar number in captivity. Seven of the latter are in South America, all at the Buin Zoo in Santiago, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Hunting and crossbreeding with the common domestic donkey have reduced the populations of this animal to the point of placing it at a critical level of extinction, the last category on the IUCN register before extinction.

“In non-traditional medicine, their bones are used for soup that is said to improve rheumatism, tuberculosis, despite the fact that it has not been scientifically proven,” said Idalsoaga, the zoo founder.

ALSO READ: South Korea welcomes birth of first giant panda twins

Females can only have young approximately every two years, and the ass can live for about 30 years and weigh about 250 kilos (550 lbs).

Read more on these topics

conservation Somalia

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.