Wild asses — including African wild ass and onager — are among the most endangered equids, facing threats from hunting, hybridization, and habitat loss.
Wild ass welfare is threatened primarily by hunting pressure and habitat degradation. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, African wild asses are hunted for meat and body parts used in traditional medicine, causing direct mortality. Hybridization with domestic donkeys reduces fitness of offspring adapted to harsh arid environments. Water source competition with livestock during droughts causes nutritional and hydration stress. Conservation programs combining protected area establishment, anti-poaching, and community engagement have demonstrated success in stabilizing some populations. Captive breeding programs maintain genetic resources as insurance against wild population collapse.