African Wild Ass (Equus africanus) & Domesticated Donkey (Equus asinus) Fact Sheet: Managed Care

Why do people breed donkeys? (Starkey & Starkey 1997)

• World-wide, donkeys are mainly used for carrying loads but they also have other uses, including
• Some cultures prize donkeys as indicators of wealth or status
• Some people eat donkey meat
• Donkeys can be milked
• Donkeys guard sheep and other livestock
• Donkeys in industrialized countries may be companions, used for breeding and showing, kept as pack animals or for riding

Crossing species

• All species of horses can interbreed, but don't do so normally in the wild (Clutton-Brock 1999)
• Crosses often, but not always, infertile (Yang et al 2004)
• African pastoralists often breed their donkeys to wild asses (Clutton-Brock 1999)
• Impacts the genetics of the wild ass populations (Moehlman 2002)

• Currently (and proudly!) holds more Somali Wild Asses than any other zoo in North America

Get acquainted with one of Africa's most endangered equids.

© San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

African Wild Ass can be seen from the Africa Tram at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Clutton-Brock (1981, 1999)
Moehlman (2002)
Starkey & Starkey (1997)
Yang et al (2004)