HOHHOT, Mongolia, Feb 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – Patrollers have recently spotted a herd of Mongolian wild donkeys in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as heightened protection improves the environment for the rare mammals.
The eight donkeys were seen earlier this month, in the Urad natural reserve, near the China-Mongolia border, according to the forestry and grassland administration of Urad Back Banner.
It was the first time in several years a herd of Mongolian wild donkeys turned up in the reserve, the administration said.
“We have seen these wild donkeys coming out to graze every day, which was rare in the past. We watched and placed hay from a distance to not frighten them,” said Batu, a local herdsman.
Su Jun, director of the administration, attributed the return of the herd to the continuous improvement of grassland ecology, and the herdsmen’s better awareness regarding protecting wildlife.
The forestry authority set up fixed water and forage-feeding points in the reserve, to prevent the wild donkeys from starving. Su said, the staff is also increasing patrols and monitoring to guard against poaching.
The Mongolian wild donkey features shorter ears and bigger hoofs than domestic donkeys. The species is under state protection in China.– NNN-XINHUA
