Assessment of the Traditional Production of the Hybrids of Indian Wild Asses (Equus hemionus khur) and Jennies (Equus asinus) in Kutch, Gujarat

Rikako Kimura
Mioko Masuda
Frenny Sheth
Jayesh Sheth


DOI: 10.2190/ES.32.4.a

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the traditional and regional system of producing inter-specific hybrids of Indian wild ass and native jennies, by analysis of production method, market value, draughtability, and characteristics and temperament of the animal. Loading and speed tests significantly confirmed that the hybrids have higher draughtability than jennies, but there was no difference between jacks. Temperaments were more nervous than with donkeys. Productions by transhumant communities were subject to vagaries of rainfall and accident during pasturing and migration. The market value was 10 times or more than that of a donkey. Contaminating the wild gene pool with domestic genes is avoided by taking advantage of social structure "territoriality" of wild ass.

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