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Conservation Areas Present in many reserves throughout its range
in the region.
Similar Species One other pig species, the Warthog (Phacochoerus
africanus), is present in the region as an introduced species in far
north-eastern Algeria. Isolated, naturally occurring populations are
found in Niger, close to the southern border of Algeria. The Warthog
has a typical pig-like appearance with grey, sparsely haired skin, a
mane of long, erectile hair on the neck and back, wart-like lumps on
the face and curved, upwards-pointing tusks. The thin tail is held erect
when running. It is generally smaller than the Eurasian Wild Pig, and is
active during the day.
ODD-TOED UNGULATES (Perissodactyla)
A single hoof (third toe) on each limb and well-developed incisor teeth
on the upper and lower jaws characterize these mammals.
ONAGER Equus hemionus
Identification This is the only wild member of the horse family
occuring in the region. It bears more resemblance to a donkey than a
horse, hence its alternative name of Persian Wild Ass. The coat colour
varies from grey-brown to yellowish, with a black stripe running down
the centre of the back. The lower flanks and underparts are white, and
the rump is usually pale to white. The mane is short and dark in colour.
Feral donkeys occur in some areas of the Onager’s distribution and
could be confused with them from a distance.
Size Shoulder height 1.4 m.
Weight 1 50–250 kg.
Habitat and Behaviour The Onager is a species of arid and semi-arid
plains, where it is mostly a grazer. Most feeding takes place during the
hours of daylight, but this may vary according to levels of disturbance.
It requires regular access to drinking water. Herd size is variable, but
usually small because numbers have been drastically reduced by
hunting and destruction of habitat by domestic stock. Mating takes
place in June, when stallions fight viciously over territories and mares.
The single foal is born after a gestation of about 11 months, and is
suckled for at least a year.
Distribution and Status In historical times the Onager occurred
from the eastern Mediterranean coast and eastern Turkey in an
almost continuous belt through northern Arabia and across Iran and
beyond. Today only a few hundred animals survive within the region,
in Iran. The last Onager in Syria was noted in 1927, and the species
disappeared elsewhere much earlier. Animals have been reintroduced
in Israel.