Kiang

Did you know?
that kiangs live in herds that can number several hundred individuals? Such herds are made up of mares with their young and immature males and females. They are led by an older mare. Stallions tend to live alone or with other stallions, joining the herd only during the breeding season.

Photo Copyright by
Bodlina

Why do zoos keep this animal

The kiang is still a lower risk species. It used to be, however, a rare species in zoos, and was therefore included into the International "Asiatic Wild Asses" Studbook, which was set up in 1961 under the auspices of WAZA primarily with a view to contributing to the conservation of the more endangered Asiatic wild ass subspecies. zoos maintain now a self-sustained and steadily growing population of kiangs managed under regional conservation breeding programmes.

How this animal should be kept

Kiangs should be kept in social groups of one adult male and several females with their offspring. Also the keeping of groups of compatible bachelors is possible. For up to five adult animals an outdoor enclosure of at least 800 m² is required, which should be enlarged by 80 m² for each additional adult.

The enclosure should be well structured, frequently used areas, e.g. at the entrance to the stables, should be paved. The soil should be well drained. There should be sandy patches allowing for wallowing. There must be an easily accessible shelter of sufficient size. No indoor facilities are required. Where Kiangs are kept indoors at times, either a common stable of 20 m² for the first two adult animals is required, which has to be enlarged by 2 m² for each additional adult or, if the animals are individually stabled, there must be boxes of at 8 m² each.

Kiangs are grazers. They should be fed on a diet consisting of grass and hay supplemented by horse pellets, carrots and branches in leave.