Chester Zoo is thrilled to announce that Jasper, a Persian onager baby, has been born. This is among the rarest animal species worldwide. Born to Azita after a one-year gestation period, the endangered status of these animals was illuminated by the birth of Jasper since there are only about 600 remaining in their natural habitats. Formerly, these related wild asses were widely distributed in Mongolia, China and Iran but today they exist in just two small reserves in Iran due to hazards such as hunting and diseases.
Jasper’s birth had Mike Jordan, Chester zoo director for animals and plants filled with joy. He commended Azita for being a great mother and described Jasper as always bubbling with energy with habit of playfully kicking up sand wherever he is.
The significance associated with Jasper’s birth was emphasized by representatives from the conservationist group at the zoo. The population of Persian onagers has.
Jordan stressed the urgency of conservation efforts, warning that Persian onagers could face extinction in the wild within our lifetime. He hopes that Jasper’s birth will bring much-needed attention to the species’ plight and encourage efforts to protect these remarkable animals