THE numbers of a critically endangered species have been boosted with the
birth at Marwell Zoo of two Somali wild asses.
The Somali wild ass is extremely rare with less than 200 in the wild and just 100 in zoos across the world.
Their numbers have been devastated by hunting, loss of habitat and competition.
Stan and Ollie were born to different mums just days apart at the zoo.
Stan was born on June 27 to Possa and Ollie was born on July 4 to Tikva, both foals share the same father, Future. He was born in 1995, in Haibar, Israel.
Possa was born in 1989 and came from Oberwil, Switzerland and Tikva was born in 1997,and also came from Haibar.
Marwell Zoo has a group of nine Somali wild asses and is the only zoo in the UK to have these animals.
The beautiful animals have blue-grey bodies and pale legs with distinct black stripes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article