Rare and endangered Somali wild ass born in Chile zoo

A rare Somali wild ass has been born in a zoo in Chile, the fourth specimen of the critically endangered species to be born in the South American country, the zoo owner said.

The foal, named Julieta, was born in a private zoo on June 19, said a veterinarian and founder of the zoo.With white, striped legs similar to those of a zebra, the Somali wild ass is critically endangered in its native East Africa. 

There are less than 200 left in the wild, and a similar number in captivity. Seven of the latter are in South America, all at the Buin Zoo in Santiago, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Females can only have young approximately every two years, and the ass can live for about 30 years and weigh about 550 lbs.