Rare Persian onagers conceived through artificial insemination are born at Ohio conservation center

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Researchers say two exotic horse-like animals born recently at an eastern Ohio wildlife conservation center are the first ever produced through artificial insemination.

The rare Persian onagers (AH’-nuh-gurz) were born in late June and early July at a 10,000-acre conservation facility called the Wilds. A statement released Monday says the foals were the result of a two-year study of the species involving experts from the Wilds and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va.

Project leader Mandi Vick says the work will help save endangered relatives of the horse including onagers, which look like donkeys and sometimes are known as Asian wild asses. Experts say fewer than 700 onagers remain in their habitat in Iran.

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-- Associated Press