Three Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) foals have been born within just a few days at Tierpark Berlin. The species is one of the world’s rarest ungulates and is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. A fourth foal is expected in the coming weeks.
The first arrival was Bruce, a male born to Beatrice on 27 July. He was followed by Amy, a female born to Kitara on 30 July, and Suzan, another female born to Suri on 5 August. All three were fathered by 22-year-old Stan.
“The first days of life are particularly important for the youngsters. Our females are taking very attentive and caring care of their offspring. Little Bruce would already love to encourage his two half-sisters to play, but their mothers are still holding the playful young male back a little. That will probably change in a week or two, and then the three youngsters will certainly be racing around the enclosure together,” curator Martin Kränzlin said.
The species remains in an extremely precarious situation in the wild. According to the last population estimate cited by Tierpark Berlin, dating from 2014, no more than around 200 Somali wild asses were thought to remain in the wild, and the actual number may be considerably lower. The park notes that no more recent surveys of the species’ distribution have been carried out since then.
Meanwhile, around 150 Somali wild asses currently live in European zoological institutions, forming the species’ most important reserve population. The situation of the other subspecies of African wild ass, the Nubian wild ass, is even more uncertain. It is considered probably extinct by experts, although current evidence suggests that a small number of individuals may still survive in Sudan.
“Every foal is an important contribution to the conservation of this extraordinary species. Modern zoos have a particular responsibility for species such as the Somali wild ass, whose future in the wild hangs by a thread. By maintaining a stable reserve population here at Tierpark Berlin, we are laying the foundations for the long-term preservation of these animals while also drawing attention to the dramatic situation facing their wild relatives,” said Zoo and Tierpark Director Andreas Knieriem.
“We hope they will be spared the fate of Przewalski’s horses – extinction in their natural habitat,” Knieriem added.
Visitors can already see Bruce, Amy and Suzan together with the rest of the herd at Tierpark Berlin.
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