Marwell Zoo in Hampshire is celebrating the arrival of a critically endangered African wild ass, one of the rarest mammals on Earth. The male foal, born on August 20 to parents Nadifa and Lars, has not been named yet. This birth is significant due to the dwindling numbers of this species, with fewer than 200 remaining in the wild.

Darren Ives, the senior animal keeper for hoofstock at the zoo, expressed excitement after a year-long wait for the foal’s birth. He noted the foal’s playful behavior in the paddock and its good health. African wild asses, native to Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia, face threats from predators like African lions and Ethiopian wolves, as well as hunting by humans for food, contributing to their declining population in the wild.

Marwell Zoo’s spokeswoman shared that the birth of this critically endangered African wild ass has delighted the zookeepers. The foal, with its characteristic long legs and floppy ears, is expected to be a popular attraction for visitors. Nadifa, the mother, was born at the zoo in 2007, and her foal marks another step in Marwell’s dedication to conserving this species since 1993. The foal’s father, Lars, has become a father for the fifth time. Given the rarity of these animals in the wild, maintaining a healthy population in captivity is crucial for their future preservation and genetic diversity. The new foal is expected to contribute to the long-term survival of its species for generations to come.