Wild Asses of India

Kiang and Ghor Khar – The Wild Asses of India

The Kiang and Ghor Khar, the wild asses of Ladakh and Kutch respectively, are among India’s most striking and fascinating wildlife species.

Kiang – Ladakh ( Equus hemionus kiang )

The Kiang, or Tibetan Wild Ass, is the largest among all African and Asiatic wild asses. Its coat ranges from reddish in summer to dark brown in winter, with contrasting white underparts. Owing to its short ears, broad hooves, and large tail tuft, the Kiang is often considered closer to a horse than an ass. Like all wild asses, it sports a stiff upright mane and a prominent dark dorsal stripe running from the nape to the tail.

The Kiang’s habitat stretches across Tibet, parts of China, and into eastern Ladakh and northern Sikkim in India. A remarkably agile animal, it can run long distances at speeds exceeding 50 km per hour. Kiangs usually live in herds and primarily graze on hardy grasses found in their harsh, high-altitude environment.

Ghor Khar – Kutch ( Equus hemionus khur )

The Indian Wild Ass, locally known as Ghor Khar, is found mainly in the Little Rann of Kutch and adjoining areas of Gujarat. It thrives in saline deserts, arid grasslands, and shrublands. Its coat is typically sandy, varying from reddish grey to pale chestnut. It has a distinctive erect dark mane running down the neck, followed by a deep brown stripe extending along the back to the base of the tail.

The Ghor Khar feeds on grasses, leaves, fruits of various plants, crop vegetation, and even saline-tolerant flora. Renowned for its incredible speed, it is one of the fastest animals in India, capable of easily outrunning a motorized vehicle in its natural terrain.

Miniature Sheet

A Miniature Sheet featuring two commemorative postage stamps celebrates the Wild Asses of India:

• Kiang – Ladakh
• Ghor Khar – Kutch

These stamps highlight the beauty, ecological importance, and regional heritage of India’s remarkable wild equids.