Distribution, Genetics and Conservation of African Wild Ass

The African Wild Ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) is a critically endangered species restricted to a few areas in the Horn Africa, ranging over approximately 23,000 km2 in the Danakil desert of Eritrea and Ethiopia. Remnant populations may persist in Somalia and Djibouti but this has not been verified. In 1995 a small population was documented in Eritrea. Since that time a cooperative program between the Eritrean Wildlife Conservation Unit and the IUCN/SSC Equid Specialist group has focused on this important population’s stabilization and recovery. Considerable achievements have been made. The Eritrean population is believed to be the highest density population in the species’ current range. However, there is no detailed information on the current status of this species. This study focused on the population distribution, size, trends and genetics of the African wild ass in Eritrea so that to provide baseline data for the development of an appropriate conservation and management strategy.