Persian onager
| Persian onager | |
|---|---|
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| Persian onager at Augsburg Zoo, Germany | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Perissodactyla |
| Family: | Equidae |
| Genus: | Equus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | E. h. onager
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| Trinomial name | |
| Equus hemionus onager (Boddaert, 1785)
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The Persian onager (Equus hemionus onager), also called the Persian wild ass or Persian zebra, is a subspecies[3] of onager (Asiatic wild ass) native to Iran (Persia). It is listed as Endangered,[1] with no more than 600 individuals left in the wild and only 30 individuals living within North American institutions.[citation needed]
Description
Persian onagers are 6.7–8.3 feet (2.0–2.5 m) long, reach 3.3–4.8 feet (1.0–1.5 m) at the shoulder, and weigh 200–260 kg (440–570 lb).[4] Females are slightly smaller than males.[5]
Typically the coat is a sandy red, with a brown dorsal stripe. Thin strips of white on either side of the dorsal stripe merge with the white patch on the rear. There is also white on the underside and flanks.[5]
Taxonomy and history
The Persian onager is also simply named gur (گور) meaning "zebra" in Persian. "Onager" is from the Greek ὄναγρος (onagros), meaning "wild ass".
Sometimes, the term "onager" is reserved specifically for this subspecies.[3] However, as the whole species of the Asiatic wild ass is known simply as onager, it now also serves as the Persian wild ass's scientific name, as well (Equus hemionus onager). Information on the basic biology of the subspecies and how it differs from others is lacking, which hampers conservation efforts.[3]
Onagers used to be numerous from the Middle East to China. However, until the 19th century, their population has been reduced from several thousand to a few thousand. Currently, more than 600 Persian onagers are living in the wild.
Habitat and distribution
Persian wild asses are known to inhabit mountain steppes, semidesert, or desert plains. They are usually found in desert steppes. Their largest population is found in Khar Turan National Park.
Threats
The Persian onager is listed as
Conservation status
Asiatic wild asses are legally highly protected; hunting them is forbidden. The
On August 30, 2014, Iranian officials reported that three Persian onagers were born in Khar Turan National Park reserve near
In captivity
A few Persian onagers are breeding in various zoos of Europe and the Middle East, such as
Introduction projects
Since 2003, Persian onagers have been introduced in Saudi Arabia, where the Syrian wild ass (E. h. hemippus) once lived. Introduced Persian onagers live in deserts foraging on grasses and branches or woodier plant material in dry seasons.[7]
In 1968, 11 Persian and Turkmenian onagers were flown from their countries to Israel in exchange for mountain gazelles. These were bred in captivity at the Hai Bar Yotvata wildlife sanctuary. Together, they bred a few Persian/Turkmenian hybrids in Israel. Offspring were introduced into the wild in the Negev Mountains area, intended to replace the local subspecies gone extinct. The introduced onagers have since established a stable population around 200 individuals.
References
- ^ . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ a b c "Asiatic Wild Ass Equus hemionus". IUCN.org. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Equid Specialist Group. Archived from the original on 2012-12-20.
- ^ "Persian Onager". The Wilds. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Persian onager". Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ MNA (30 August 2014). "3 Persian zebras born in Semnan's National Park". en.mehrnews.com. Mehr News Agency. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
- ^ Descriptions and articles about the Persian Onager (Equus hemionus onager), EOL.org, retrieved 7 February 2015