A boring life -- the Asiatic wild ass in the Mongolian Gobi
Tuesday, May 3, 2011 - 10:30
in Biology & Nature
Wild asses are descendants of the original ancestors of the horse and the donkey. Unfortunately most species of wild ass are now in danger of extinction, largely as a direct result of human activities such as hunting and habitat destruction. Walzer's group has been working together with colleagues in Germany, China and Mongolia on the Asiatic wild ass, which is currently restricted to areas in Mongolia, China, India, Iran and Turkmenistan although it was formerly much more widespread. The researchers are considering the factors responsible for the decline of the species, hoping to develop measures to ensure its future survival.