Cherished new arrivals at Marwell Zoo (From This is Hampshire)
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Cherished new arrivals at Marwell Zoo
4:32pm Friday 5th October 2007 in News
Somali wild ass, Jahzara, with her mother, Tikva
THE stork has made a valuable delivery to Marwell Zoo near Winchester.
A pair of rare female Somali wild asses, which are critically endangered, have been born at the venue.
Only 300 of the species are thought to exist elsewhere in the wild, and only in North East Africa, with none in their native Somali homeland.
The arrival of two new ones increases the size of Marwell's herd to seven.
Their head keeper, Simon Hawker, added: "Due to recent droughts and political turmoil it is very difficult to assess the current wild populations.
"With this uncertainty it is vital that we increase the number of Somali wild asses born in captivity to help safeguard their future."
The new arrivals at Marwell have been named Nadifa, which is Somali for in between seasons', and Jahzara, which is Ethiopian for blessed princess'.
Nadifa arrived first on Thursday, September 6, with Jahzara turning up on Tuesday, September 25.
