Conservation Issues

for Wild Zebra,

Asses, and Horses

in Africa and Asia

By: Patricia D. Moehlman 

Chair, World Conservation

Union (IUCN), Species

Survival Commission, Equid

Specialist Group

The second in a series of 13,

Session 1

Background

The long range goal of the

Equid Specialist Group, IUCN

is to conserve biological diversity

by developing and executing

programs to study, save, restore,

and wisely manage wild equids

and their habitats. Thus, the following information is relevant

because conservation issues for

wild native equids are similar to

those facing wild horses and burros in the USA and management

lessons can be learned from a

comparative perspective.

Discussion

Family Equidae is composed of

zebras, asses, and horses. During

the Pleistocene they were the

most abundant medium-sized

grazing animals of the grasslands

and steppes of Africa, Asia, and

the Americas. Today there remain

only seven species. In Africa, the

African wild ass (Equus africanus)

is critically endangered, the

Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi)

and the Mountain zebra (Equus

zebra) are endangered, and the

Plains zebra (Equus burchelli) is

dependent on conservation support. In Asia, the Asian wild ass

(Equus hemionus) is vulnerable

with some subspecies in an

endangered state. The Kiang

(Equus kiang) is considered a

lower risk, but data are inadequate for the assessment of

the status of two of the subspecies. The Przewalski’s horse

(Equus ferus przewalski), or

Takhi, exists in captivity, but is

extinct in the wild. Re-introduction projects for the Tahki are

occurring in China and

Mongolia. The majority of

species in this small family are

endangered or vulnerable.

Equids are significant for conservation both for their unique

genetic heritage and their role as

flagship species for the conservation of biodiversity in desert

and grassland ecosystems in

Africa and Asia.

Most endangered equids live in

desert ecosystems. These habitats are not rich in species, but

do contain unique and endemic

animals and plants. Zebras,

asses, and horses can serve as

‘flagship’ species for the conservation of desert ecosystems and

their biodiversity.

At present better information is

needed on:

• the national and local population status and trends for all

species, but the data are deficient in particular for the

subspecies of Asian asses,

Kiangs, and Plains zebra.

• the genetic definition of subspecies for the Mountain

zebra, the African wild ass,

and the Asian wild ass.

• the genetic viability of isolated and re-introduced

populations, in particular the

Mountain zebra and the

Przwalski’s horse.

• the behavioral ecology,

resource requirements, disease

epidemiology , and demography of all free-ranging wild

zebras, asses, and horses.

• the risk assessment of 

geographically distinct

populations.

• the socio-economics and

viability of alternative conservation/utilization strategies

such as the sale of meat and

skins (Grevy’s zebra, Plains

zebra, Mountain Zebra), capture for captive breeding

(Grevy’s zebra, Mountain

zebra), photo tourism, and

hunting tourism.

Conclusion

National capability in all 

the range nations needs to be

supported by training and a

communication network. In

addition, the involvement of

local communities in the conservation of their natural resources is

fundamental to the future of

these species. Conservation of

wildlife and natural resources

often results in economic and

cultural deprivation for local

resource users. It is important

to develop economic and

RESOURCE NOTES

NO. 24 DATE 07/18/00

Range

Wild Horse andBurro Program
political mechanisms which allow

local people to benefit from the

conservation of wildlife.

Contact

Patricia D. Moehlman, PhD.,

Chair, IUCN/SSC Equid

Specialist Group 

Box 2031, Arusha, Tanzania

phone 011-255-57-7504

fax 011-255-57-8271

e-mail: tan.guides@habari.co.tz

Range

Resource Notes are intended to be early

announcements of technical and informational topics for

Bureau of Land Management personnel and some of their customers.

Information in this Resource Note is based on the opinion and

experience of the author and has not been peer-reviewed. Conclusions

and opinions expressed herein do not

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WILD EQUIDS --- CONSERVATION STATUS

Equus africanus (African wild ass) CRITICALLY ENDANGERED

• E.a.africanus • Critically Endangered

• E.a.somaliensis • Critically Endangered

Equus grevyi (Grevy's zebra) ENDANGERED

Equus zebra (Mountain zebra) ENDANGERED

• E.z.zebra • Endangered

• E.z.hartmannae • Endangered

Equus burchelli (Plains zebra) LOWER RISK

• E.b.boehmi • Lower Risk

• E.b.zambesiansis • Data Deficient (extinct in the wild?)

• E.b.crawshayi • Data Deficient (endangered?)

• E.b.chapmani • Data Deficient

• E.b.antiquorum • Lower Risk

• E.b.burchelli • Extinct (1930)

Equus hemionus (Asian wild ass) VULNERABLE 

• E.h.hemionus • Data Deficient (?extinct in the wild)

• E.h. luteus • Data Deficient

• E.h.kulan • Lower Risk

• E.h.onager • Endangered

• E.h.khur • Endangered

• E.h.hemippus • Extinct

Equus kiang (Kiang) LOWER RISK

• E.k.kiang • Data Deficient

• E.k.holderei • Lower Risk

• E.k.polyodon • Data Deficient (? endangered)

Equus ferus przewalskii (Takhi) EXTINCT IN THE WILD