Onager (Asiatic wild ass) - Equus hemonius

The Onager (Equus hemionus), also known as the Asiatic wild ass, is the first animal that was re-introduced to the Negev area in Israel from the Hai-Bar wild life preserve. Today there is a population of around 100 Onagers in the Ramon Crater and Paran River area.

The Onager was never a house animal. The wild sub-specie which used to live in Israel (the Syrian Onager) was exterminated in the beginning of the 20th century. The animals currently in the Hai-Bar reserve are the Persian Onagers, who were bought from the Copenhagen zoo, and from Iran. These Onagers were taught how to survive in nature, until they were ready to be released.

In the beginning of the 80's, 14 pairs of Onagers were re-introduced.

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