Kiang, Tibetan Wild Ass

Description:

Kiang is the largest of the wild asses. It's native to the Tibetan plateau. It's current range is restricted to Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir, plains of the Tibetan plateau and the northern Nepal along Tibetan border.

Habitat:

High altitude (13,000 - 15,000 ft), cold semi-desert regions of Ladakh.

Notes:

This and some others in pairs or four-five in groups were spotted on the way to Pangong Lake in Ladakh. Locals say these wild asses compete with their domesticated yaks, goats, and sheep for few green belts that run along the small stream originating at Pangong Lake. Therefore, they take the pain of chasing them away on days together across Tibet, but only to come back later! But for now there're only scratches of few dry grass left beneath the recently melted long winter snow!