Because the subspecies 'Equus hemionus kulan', or 'Kulan', is one of LHNet's priority species, it has been given its own information page.
There is some doubt whether the following two subspecies of the Asiatic Wild Ass, E. h. onager and E. h. kulan, are sufficiently different to be classified in two subspecies of the Asiatic Wild Ass. This needs to be clarified since it could affect the Onager populations in Iran and the Kulan populations in Turkmenistan, as well as the introduced hybrid population in Israel.
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No significant differences between the Asiatic Wild Ass and the E. h. kulan are known. More information is most welcome.
For species information: see Asiatic Wild Ass.
Running Kulan
No significant differences between the Asiatic Wild Ass and the E. h. kulan are known. More information is most welcome.
No significant differences between the Asiatic Wild Ass and the E. h. kulan are known. More information is most welcome.
The Kulan (E. h. kulan) populations in 2005 were approximately 1,300 in Turkmenistan (Badkyz Reserve 850-900 and 445 animals on seven reintroduction sites (Lukarevskiy and Gorelov 2007)).
The Kulan has experienced a recent dramatic decline in its main population in Turkmenistan. The population in the Badkyz Preserve declined from 6,000 in 1993, to 2,400 in 1998 to 646 in 2000 (Feh et al. 2002). From 1995 to 2000 the estimated number of Kulan in reintroduction sites was approximately 320.
In 1992 the reintroduced populations in Kazakhstan were Barsa-Khelmes Island: 96 animals; Aktau-Busatchinski: uncertain; Andasaiski reserve: 164; Kaptchagaiskoye: 150 (in total 410 animals).
In 1999, the reintroduced populations in Kazakhstan in these four sites was approximately 900 animals (Pereladova and Baidavletov pers. com. 2006).
The reintroduced population in Uzbekistan in Dzheiran Ecocentre was 34 in 1991 (Feh et al. 2002).
The hybrid E. h. onager x E. h. kulan population in Israel numbered 100 in 2000.
| Area | Numbers | Development |
|---|---|---|
| World | ~ 2,500 | Unknown |
| Kazakhstan - four reintroduction sites (Barsa-Khelmes Island, Aktau-Busatchinski, Andasaiski reserve, Kaptchagaiskoye) | 900 | Raise from 410 animals in 1992 to 900 in 1999; recent trend unknown |
| Turkmenistan - Badkyz Nature Reserve | 900 | Decrease from 6.000 animals in 1993 to 646 animals in 2000; raise to 850-900 in 2005; seems to be stabelized in 2007 |
| Turkmenistan - seven reintroduction sites other than Badkyz Nature Reserve | 445 | In 1995-2000 about 320 animals, raised to 445 animals in 2005 |
| Uzbekistan - Dzheiran Ecocentre | 25-34 | 2011; increasing |
| Israel - hybrid population (E. h. onager x E. h. kulan) | 100 | Population number is from 2000; recent trend unknown |
| Males | Females | Unknowns | Births (last 12 months) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World ~ | 34 | 72 | 2 | 9 |
| Estonia - Tallinn Zoo | 3 | 9 | ||
| Germany - Rostock Zoologischer Garten | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Germany - Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde GmbH | 3 | 6 | 3 | |
| Poland - Miejski Ogrod Zoologiczny w Lodz | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Poland - Park i Ogrod Zoologiczny w Krakowie | 2 | 3 | ||
| Poland - Zoo Safari Swierkocin | 6 | 5 | ||
| Slovakia - Zoologicka Zahrada Bratislava | 6 | 1 | 1 | |
| Sweden - Kolmardens Djurpark AB | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
| Ukraine - Nikolaev Zoo of Nikolaev-City Council | 3 | 3 | ||
| USA - San Diego Zoo Safari Park | 3 | 4 | ||
| Others | 10 | 26 |
The Badkyz Nature Reserve (green balloon in the current distribution map) is the area where the Kulan still naturally occurs. All other areas are reintroduction sites as far as known. The borders of these areas or breeding centres are unknown.
The Badkyz Nature Reserve (green balloon in the current distribution map) is the area where the Kulan still naturally occurs. All other areas are reintroduction sites as far as known.
No significant differences between the Asiatic Wild Ass and the E. h. kulan are known. More information is most welcome.
The Kulan can be found in Turkmenistan, and is re-introduced in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.
There is also a reintroduced population in Israel that is of hybrid origin (E. h. onager and E. h. kulan).
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Perhaps the greatest threat to the populations of Asiatic Wild Ass appears to be the potential for catastrophic population declines due to poaching (Lukarevskii pers. comm. 2001, Feh et al 2002). An example is the Kulan population in the Badkyz Reserve, Turkmenistan. During the summer months this population migrates to the Kuska River, which is 100 km outside of the protected area. There it is poached with the consequence that the population encountered a catastrophic decline in the late 1990s. The critical situation of the Badkyz Reserve Kulans clearly illustrates how swiftly isolated equid populations can be decimated and potentially driven to extinction during a period of a few years.
Natural disasters like diseases and/or drought are "stress events" that are a constant threat to the small, isolated populations.
Continued fragmentation and marginalisation of the small populations could result in extinctions. These isolated populations are demographically and genetically vulnerable.
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The Kulan population in Badkyz Preserve has declined by approximately 90% in a three year period. Improved protection from poaching is needed both within the reserve and along the summer migration route to the Kushka River. The ecological requirements of this population need to be determined and an ecosystem analysis made of their habitat in order to prepare a long-term sustainable management plan.
In Turkmenistan and Iran, the management of the Onager and Kulan would greatly benefit from increased knowledge of basic behaviour and ecology. Such information would provide a better understanding of threats to these populations. In particular, as the potential for escalating human-wildlife conflict increases during droughts, a short-term study to understand the seasonal movement patterns of the Badkyz Kulan population in Turkmenistan, and the places where conflicts are taking place, might help to address how best to protect this population.
No information available
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