Our big family grows with births and new inhabitants

• Two females of the critically endangered African wild ass arrive at Selwo Aventura as part of the international conservation programme.
• The group of wildebeest is growing with new calves, which can be seen with the rest of the herd from the moment they are born.

Under the commitment of our participation in the European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP) of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and in coordination with other zoological institutions, we have received two new specimens of African wild ass (Equus africanus somalicus), an African herbivore characterised by its grated feet that is critically endangered due to the decrease of its wild populations.

The main threat to this African wild ass is its hunting for food and medicinal purposes; for example, body parts and soup made from bones are used to treat tuberculosis, constipation, rheumatism, back pain and bone pain; and its limited access to drinking water and forage (largely due to competition with livestock), with breeding females and foals less than three months old most at risk.

In addition, with the arrival of summer, the Lakes Reserve, Selwo Aventura's habitat populated by large African herbivores such as hippos, rhinos, zebras and various species of antelopes, has welcomed new members: the family of herbivores has been increased with the birth of several calves of the white-tailed wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou), one of the African species most recognised by our visitors, because who has not seen the protagonists of the great African migration in a documentary? Within hours of their birth, the calves of this species - which was almost completely exterminated long ago and is not threatened with extinction today - can stand upright and, always protected by the rest of the herd, begin to interact with each other and get to know their environment.