Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur)

Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur)

News: The 10th Wild Ass Population Estimation (WAPE) exercise conducted every five years by the Gujarat forest department begins today.

About:

• The Indian Wild Ass or Khur is a subspecies of the Asiatic Wild Ass, the Onsager.
• Distribution: The World’s last population of Indian Wild Ass is restricted to Ranna of Kachchh, Gujarat.
• Habitat: Desert and grassland ecosystems.
• Conservation Status
• IUCN: Near Threatened.
• CITES: Appendix I.
• Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I.
• Threats
• Changing land use patterns caused by the Mega Narmada Dam

Project and the Sardar Sarovar canals.

• Illegal salt panning activities.
• Invasive shrubs in their habitat result in the loss of food.
• Uncontrolled grazing by the Maldhari.