Comments on: Wild Horses!

By: Jonah

Jonah — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:19:10 +0000

I love the Somali wild asses! But I am so angry that they are not on exhibit! I wish there were some way to see them, like in a special tour or something!

Jonah

By: nancy from michigan

nancy from michigan — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:14:11 +0000

njr_sd thanks for the added information about the zorse and the zonkey. I believe what we saw was a zorse! I wonder why people cross breed these animals. probably for the same reason people deliberately cross breed dogs. it probably happened accidently in the beginning! lol. now that I think of it, we had a cockapoo. ( part cocker & part poodle ) wonderful sweet dog that never shed! I wonder what kind of disposition the zorse & the zonkey have!

By: Bart

Bart — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:04:36 +0000

Zee-ass or zonkey gets the most credit.
What is that old breed of horses-donkeys from the mountainous area(old world) that does have good historical data on it and has been breed in captivity. Brevis breves or something along those lines its been a long time since I have seed one but they had been dometicated in I believe the France or Germany area of Europe.
Thanks- but really an okapi at a private reserve? Many AZA facilities are chomping at the bit for one.
!!!

By: Judy J

Judy J — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:56:22 +0000

Welcome Lance!!

When we used to ride the WAP’s ‘WGASA’ Bushline monorail we so enjoyed seeing the Somali wild ass!! They are incredibly strikingly beautiful. It is so good to hear that you will be studying them in order to learn how we can protect and preserve these awesome equines. And I look forward to all the information you will be able to pass on as the observations continue. You are envied by so many in your endeavors and we all Thank You for all that you share!!

Good luck in this venture, as it is so important to the future of these beautiful creatures.

Blessed Be with Love, judy j

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:19:58 +0000

Interesting!

By: America's Best Zoos author

America's Best Zoos author — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:17:27 +0000

I love seeing these magnificent creatures (and many others) at the Wild Animal Park — and at the Zoo to. I’ve heard they have some wild horses at the new Elephant Odyssey.

By: njr_sd

njr_sd — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:20:29 +0000

For Nancy in Michigan – most likely what you saw was either a zorse (zebra-horse cross breed) or a zonkey (zebra-donkey cross breed) – just google zorse or zonkey to see pictures.

By: njr_sd

njr_sd — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:50:40 +0000

Love the stripes on their legs! How much information, if any, is available on these animals in the wild?

Lance responds: Unfortunately, there is very little information available on them in the wild or within human care. The most recent survey for population estimates that I am aware of was conducted in the late 80s and early 90s. Clearly, more information is needed (population estimates, reproductive biology, behavioral ecology, etc.) in order to help conserve this amazing species!

By: nancy from michigan

nancy from michigan — Sun, 24 May 2009 13:44:55 +0000

this is very interesting! on our ride in the country which we do alot, there is a farm that has alot of exotic and unusual animals for this neck of the woods! ( Michigan ) we have seen an animal that we thought was cross bred with a zebra!!! it looks just like the somalli wild ass!! if they are so endangered, I wonder how they are able to possess one. although, the last couple times we passed by, we didn’t see it. if we see it again, I will try to get a picture of it and send it to you!! unusual to have stripes on it’s legs like a zebra which is also related to the horse. my husband doesn’t think the picture looks like yours. he said the one we saw has more stripes, like half and half. stripes covering the rear area and legs. I guess I will have to get a picture as I am now very courious!! I guess that is why people looking at something each see or remember something different!! wierd!! later!

Lance responds: It would be interesting to find out what animal you saw! There are actually a couple of different animals that have stripes similar to that of a zebra. Another off the top of my head is the okapi. However, I would be surprised if the animal you saw on a farm was an okapi or the Somali wild ass!

Here’s info about okapis: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-okapi.html

By: Lance Miller

Lance Miller — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:57:25 +0000

Melissa,

Thank you for your response and questions! It is interesting that you should ask about reducing stress, as one of the other goals of the study is to examine the move to the new exhibit (once it is complete). Is moving to a new exhibit stressful for the animals? Is there anything we can do to alleviate stress? Before and after the move we will be looking closely at hormones and behavior to ensure we can learn all about providing the highest level of care for the animals here at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park.