Rare Somali wild ass born in UK safari park
The male Somali wild ass was born on August 10 at Knowsley Safari in Merseyside
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An extremely rare foal, of a breed of which there are just a few hundred left in the wild, has been born in a UK safari park.
The male Somali wild ass was born on 10 August at Knowsley Safari in Merseyside to first-time parents Lahra, four, and Hansi, five.
The foal provides a significant boost to the population of the breed, as it is estimated only 200 mature Somali wild asses remain, and they have been logged as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“The foal’s birth is a great moment for Knowsley Safari and the wider Somali wild ass species,” said Lindsay Banks, ungulates team manager at the safari park.
“There are so few in the world because they’re threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and competition with domestic livestock for resources.
“It means breeding programmes like ours are crucial for the species’ survival. If they stopped, Somali wild ass could face extinction.”
The species, native to parts of the Ethiopian desert and the mountains of northeast Eritrea, has faced the risk of extinction since numbers started declining in the 1970s.
The Somali wild ass has a blue-grey coat, light-coloured belly and distinct black stripes on its legs, and is often confused with donkeys.
“Somali wild ass are often mistaken for donkeys, but they are a fabulous species in their own right and deserve more awareness and appreciation,” Ms Banks said.
“I’m sure visitors will grow to love Somali wild ass as much as we do when they get to watch our new bundle of energy give his mum the runaround on the safari drive.”
The wild ass is described as a resilient animal that can feed on thorny bushes and tough grasses to survive in harsh conditions.
It is said factors including being hunted for food and medicinal purposes have contributed to their declining numbers.