Live Webcams
RZSS Highland Wildlife Park has recently welcomed two eastern kiang foals to the herd. The first foal of the season was born at the end of July to mother Indira, whilst the second was born two weeks later on 12 August to mother Cin-tsha.
Both of the male youngsters can be seen happily frolicking and prancing with their herd in the entrance reserve of the Park. The birth of the two foals brings the number of the herd up to five.
Douglas Richardson, Head of Living Collections at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, commented:
“RZSS Highland Wildlife Park has had particular success with this species since 2008 and we are proud to see more youngsters join our flourishing herd. Eastern kiang foals have legs that appear disproportionately long compared to the rest of their bodies so they can keep up with the rest of the herd and both foals were up and following their mothers around the reserve shortly after birth.”
Eastern kiang, also known as Tibetan wild ass, are found on the Tibetan plateau and live at elevations of up to 5,000 metres. They are the largest of the wild asses and have an average shoulder height of 140cm. Kiang live in very close herds which never become scattered. Led by an old female, the herds travel in single file, and the members appear to do everything - including eating, drinking, turning, and running - in unison.
The herd at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park are a very tight-knit unit and never stray far from each other, following in the close hoof-steps of the leader Boshay. Besides humans, the kiang’s biggest predator is the wolf. They will defend and protect themselves by forming a circle and will kick out violently to prevent attacks; as a result wolves will usually attack single animals who have strayed from the group.
…ends…