The
rarest animal at Zoo Basel has given birth: 
a Somali Wild Ass foal was born on December 27.  Named
Jana, this female youngster is “extraordinarily lively,” according to her
keepers.

Among
Jana’s favorite activities is frolicking with other members of the zoo’s
Wild Ass herd.  Her mother, Tana, doesn’t
tolerate this precocious behavior from her daughter and immediately
intervenes.  Jana is also very interested
in the ponies, penguins and ducks that live near her enclosure.  She has been observed walking slowly toward a
resting duck, then dashing back to her mother’s side when the duck makes a
sudden move!

Photo Credit:  Zoo Basel

Jana
is treasured at Zoo Basel not only for her endearing personality:  She is one of only about 200 Wild Asses
living in zoos worldwide.  In the wild, less
than 1,000 Wild Asses remain in parts of Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.   They
are considered critically endangered – just one step above extinction.  Zoo Basel is a leader in breeding these rare animals.