Wild Ass Sanctuary

Wild Ass Sanctuary (Little Rann of kachchh - Gujarat)

Location: Little Rann Of Kachchh, 150 km off Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Coverage Area : 4953 Sq Kms. Main Attractions: Wild Asses. Best Time To Visit: October To March. Arrival Information : -- By Rail : New Bhuj Railway Station is 1 kms. north of Bhuj -- By Air : The nearest airport is located 150 kms. away at Bhuj, connected by regular flights from Mumbai. -- By Road : -- Nearby Excursions : Modhera is famous for its temples built of delicately carved stone. Patan is one of the oldest cultural centers in the region and famous for its Patola saris. -- Nearby Cities : Rajkot is an important city in the Saurashtra region. Gujarat is as famous for its large wild ass herds as it is for its lions. To protect these rare animals, a sanctuary covering an area of over 4,953 sq. kms. was created to offer protection to more than 2,100 wild asses inhabiting this area. In the Little Rann of Kachchh, the asses are attracted by the flat green grass covered expanse known as bets (islands where coarse grasses springs up during the monsoon). THE AGILE WILD ASS Few animals in the animal kingdom can match the wild ass in terms of speed and stamina. They are capable of marathon runs at a pace of about 24 km/h for as long as two hours, reaching a top speed of 70 km per hour over short distances. FLORA AND FAUNA The Rann of Kutch is full of dry thorny scrub and there are no large trees. The main vegetation in the region includes many species of grasses that are widely available as the source of food for the wild Asses. The most famous wildlife of the region includes the Indian Wild Ass, as well as the chinkara, desert fox, jackal, desert cat, caracal, nilgai, wolf, blackbuck, and striped hyena. THE AVIAN POPULATION The area is also well known for its birds the most notable being the flamingoes from Siberia. During winter, thousands of these magnificent pink birds can be found, particularly at Dholavira. An excursion of the Rann of Kachchh can enable you to see many species of birds. At the Little Rann, you can see numerous birds ranging from the incredibly beautifully colored Indian Roller to the majestic stature of the demoiselle cranes, numerous falcons, bustards and 'saras' cranes. Of equal joy is a chance to ride a camel decked in its finest riding apparel.