| **T**his species of wild equid is one of about nine species within the genus Equus, to which it is believed to be most closely related to the wild-asses of Asia. It is sometimes considered to belong to the same species as the domestic donkey – which is classified as //E. asinus//. Mot authorities today, however, consider it a separate species. Three sub-species of this wild-ass have been recorded – the Somali Wild-Ass [//E. africanus somalicus//] being the only species known for certain to exist in the 21st century. The Atlas Wild-Ass, which is classified as //E. a. atlanticus//, is believed to have gone extinct in the 4th century. The Nubian Wild Ass, //E. a. africanus//, remains a subject of debate. It survived into the later 20th century, but has not been seen in its native range since. It is thought by some that a population of feral donkeys on the island of Bonaire may constitute the last existing population of the sub-species – and genetic testing shows that these donkeys are genetically closer to the Nubian Wild-Ass than they are to either the Somali ass or Domestic Donkey. If the Nubian Wild-Ass exists today, however, it has been extirpated from its native range. The species once had a wide range across Northern Africa – but today, in its native range, is known to inhabit only small areas of Ethiopia. It is a historically significant species – it is believed to be the ancestor of the domestic donkey, which itself is thought closer to the Nubian population than the Somali population. | **T**his species of wild equid is one of about nine species within the genus Equus, to which it is believed to be most closely related to the wild-asses of Asia. It is sometimes considered to belong to the same species as the domestic donkey – which is classified as //E. asinus//. Mot authorities today, however, consider it a separate species. Three sub-species of this wild-ass have been recorded – the Somali Wild-Ass [//E. africanus somalicus//] being the only species known for certain to exist in the 21st century. The Atlas Wild-Ass, which is classified as //E. a. atlanticus//, is believed to have gone extinct in the 4th century. The Nubian Wild Ass, //E. a. africanus//, remains a subject of debate. It survived into the later 20th century, but has not been seen in its native range since. It is thought by some that a population of feral donkeys on the island of Bonaire may constitute the last existing population of the sub-species – and genetic testing shows that these donkeys are genetically closer to the Nubian Wild-Ass than they are to either the Somali ass or Domestic Donkey. If the Nubian Wild-Ass exists today, however, it has been extirpated from its native range. The species once had a wide range across Northern Africa – but today, in its native range, is known to inhabit only small areas of Ethiopia. It is a historically significant species – it is believed to be the ancestor of the domestic donkey, which itself is thought closer to the Nubian population than the Somali population. |
