SOO MAAL Posted June 2, 2005 Rare Somali Horses Now Call St. Louis Zoo Home created: 6/1/2005 12:32:08 PM (KSDK) - Three Somali wild asses are now calling the St. Louis Zoo home. Fataki, Liberty, and Tukia recently arrived from the San Diego Zoo. They will be living near the zoo's Somali wild *** stallion, Tokar. The Somali wild *** is one of the most endangered members of the horse family on the planet. Only about 700 to 1,000 exist in the wild. The last populations of the animals are found in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The three new arrivals are not destined to breed with Tokar, as they are all related. The females will be paired with a Swiss male later this year. The zoo hopes to find a suitable female for Tokar from a European zoo to maintain genetic diversity. Tokar is 10 years old and has been at the St. Louis Zoo since 1999. If you want to catch a glimpse of them, the best time is early in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler. That's when they are the most active. The Somali wild *** is gray with a white belly, and black striping on its lower legs. Males range from 600-700 pounds. Females weigh about 500-600 pounds. Both stand about four feet at the shoulder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
