Environmental effects of the feral donkey Equus asinus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Al-Ula governorate, western Saudi Arabia
DOI: 10.48129/kjs.10506
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48129/kjs.10506Keywords:
Feral donkey, Equus asinus, Alien species, Environmental effects, Al-Ula, Saudi ArabiaAbstract
Alien animals cause drastic and negative impacts on biota and ecosystems; they may cause decline and extinction of native species. The Global Invasive Species Database reported the feral donkey Equus asinus as an alien species in Saudi Arabia. The status, biology, ecology and feeding habits of feral donkeys were studied in the area between Al-Ula and Al-Wajh governorates in order to spot their harmful environmental effects in this region and to find solutions to the problems caused by feral donkeys. Surveys and direct interviews and conversations with farmers and villagers were the certified methods used to collect information about the harmful effects of feral donkeys on humans, natural plants and domestic animals in the study area. Many solutions related to prevention, management and making useful investment were suggested to decrease numbers of feral donkeys and to get benefits from them.
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