Talk:African Wild Ass

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[edit] Population

Is anyone familiar enough to speak to their current population, what pressures they're facing, and what their outlook is? SG

They are in very serious trouble in the wild. In fact they might already be extinct there. The problems are hunting and interbreeding with feral domestic donkeys. The wars and instability going on in the region make the situation more difficult. Steve Dufour 18:32, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Species name

Every authority that I have seen says that there is one species Equus asinus which includes the Somali wild ass and the Nubian wild ass as subspecies. The domestic donkey is descended from the Nubian wild ass and is the same species. The Nubian wild ass is now totally extinct. I have changed the article to reflect this. Also the article on the Somali wild ass. I hope this is ok with everyone. Steve Dufour 18:32, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

Well, every authority you've seen is outdated. The name Equus asinus is invalid, except in non-zoological circles where domesticated animals are still considered separate species to the wild ones they immediately descend from, and then it is only used to refer to domestic Donkeys/Burros. Here's a link for you: http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/7949/summ IUCN is about as current as it gets. They have their crap together, unlike much of the non-biological, and unfortunately, biological community. And if there's still a taxonomic dispute going on, they generally reference it, such as with E. quagga (though that dispute is pretty much settled). Also, you should be aware that when a domestic animal has a wild living ancestor, it doesn't matter if the domestic was named first or not. The wild name takes precedent. So, even though Donkeys and Wild Asses belong to the same specy, the Wild Ass' scientific name goes to both of them, not the Donkey's. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Aunukia (talk • contribs) 08:00, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Vandalism

OK, somebody keeps adding "alexandra gimple" to the top of the taxbox, where the common name is. I changed it last night, but it came back, so I changed it again. Semi-protect? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 69.137.161.44 (talk) 12:15, 1 April 2007 (UTC).

[edit] A Bit of New Work Soon

Hi, I am actually part of a research project conducted by Prof. Fiona Marshall at Washington University that is performing some of the first real research on the wild asses in a very long time. I do not have time right now, but in a few days I am going to go over this article and revisit a few issues, such as the historic distribution of the animal and the possible continued survival of the Nubian wild ass (in the Red Sea foothills, which are unaccessible to researchers due to land mines), and try to expand the sections on diet and behavior. Ben Mudd, Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis128.252.93.146 19:30, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] This animals name

Hellow,is there really an animal called African WILD ASS? I have NEVER heard of it! Is this really real? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 60.49.33.138 (talk) 07:24, 20 January 2008 (UTC)