While our thoughts are with people in Texas right now, we wanted to share one heartwarming story from the Dallas Zoo.

SOURCE: womenofageridinghorses.com

Dallas Welcomes More Asses

Two new Somali Wild Ass foals born July at the Dallas Zoo

The thriving foals were recently introduced to one another under the watchful eyes of their protective mothers. Their days are spent kicking up their heels and tossing about a whole lot of attitude. Currently off exhibit, they will soon be introduced into the Wilds of Africa habitat joining addax, ostriches and gemsbok.

“This is a big moment for our hoof stock team. Somali Wild Asses are critically endangered, with less than 600 left in the wild,” mammal curator John Fried said. “Only nine institutions in the U.S. care for this rare species, and to be able to welcome two babies is truly one of the highlights of my career.”

The Dallas Zoo is one of approximately 50 around the world working to increase the population of captive Asses. The genetic base is narrow, all 260 animals registered in the 2016 studbook are traced to 17 founding animals established in the early 1970s. In 1986, the San Diego Zoo was the first zoo to realize the birth of a foal in the Western Hemisphere and holds the largest number of Asses in North America today.