The northern region of India is ennobled by the presence of Thar Desert of Rajasthan in its plentitude. With the motto of preserving the unique flora and fauna of the desert region, quite a number of wild life sanctuaries and national parks have been proliferated in midst of various regions of this desert. The Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary deserves a special mentioning. It is located in the Little Rann region, taking special care of wild Asses that are natives of this area.
Due to its association of Alexander The Great, The Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary has an exuberant history behind it. Little saline areas, thorny scrubs, enables the wildlife, including the wild assess to adapt to special habitat and lifestyle. In today`s society, no one can find wild Asses except in the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary. E P Gee, the natural scientist, recorded a population of hardly 870 animals in the year 1962. With an average speed of about 50 km, herds of wild asses can move for a very long distances. Taking advantage of this fact, several tour organizers have adopted a special type of game to entertain the tourists who frequent the park. They take visitors on a wild ass chase across the desert, threatening the existence and survival of already endangered specie. The Little Rann region wore a festive mood full of jests and vivacity, dipping themselves under the spell of desert glory and wild life. In the hot, dry months mirages are frequent and foggy outlines of animals on palpitating water can be seen one moment, uncannily melting the next.
The Indian Wild Ass has lived for long in relative harmony with its predominantly vegetarian human neighbors. Now the flourishing salt industry is endangering the future of the wild ass. Moreover, the implementation of irrigational facilities to a great extent alters its ecological balance. With proper protective measures, the wild Asses can be saved from going in desolation.
Any one who want to get the taste of thrill of wild beats, the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary has many thing restored for him. Apart from the sight of wild Asses running around, there are other mammalian species that are seen on a regular basis. These include Indian Wild Ass, Blackbuck, Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Nilgai {Blue Bull), Wolf, Caracal, Desert Cat, Indian Fox Striped Hyena, Indian Pangolin, Small Indian Mongoose, Indian Desert Gerbil
. Varity of birds add more to the serenity of the Wild Ass Sanctuary with their tweeting. Eurasian Thick-knee, Collared Pratincole, White-tailed Lapwing, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Sirkeer Malkoha, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Southern Grey Shrike, Variable Wheatear, Common Stonechat are worth mentioning.
Also near waterside, one gets enthralled to see birds like Lesser Flamingo, Greater Flamingo, Asian Openbill, Woolly-necked Stork, White Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Great Crested Grebe, Great White Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican, Demoiselle Crane, Common Crane, Spotbill Duck, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Caspian Tern, Pied Avocet. Numerous reptiles like Spiny-tailed Lizard.Yellow Monitor, Black Cobra and Sand Boa too are found here in large numbers.
Among the bird raptors, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Laggar Falcon, Saker Falcon, Short-eared Owl make their living on small birds and other tiny creatures.