Distribution and density of wild ass in the Red Sea State, Sudan

The African Wild ass (Equus africanus) is considered an endangered species, particularly within its native range in the Horn of Africa and Nubian wild ass historically occupied northeastern Africa, including Sudan. This study presents the findings of a ground population survey carried out during the dry season (14th to 22nd of April 2025) across 23 sites representing various landscapes in the northern and middle areas of the Red Sea state, the coastal zone, coastal plains, and the Red Sea Hills. Our study recorded 652 individuals of which 415 are Nubian wild asses over an area of 184 km² with a population density of ~ 4 individuals per km². The overall male-to-female ratio was found to be 1:2.1 for the Nubian wild ass and 1:2.11 for the African wild ass. These results highlight key demographic trends and spatial distribution patterns critical for targeted conservation efforts.