Wild donkeys and horses engineer water holes that help other species
Often cast as invasive pests, the equids may actually benefit some ecosystems
Donkeys and other equids are known to dig wells in dryland areas in search of water, like this kulan in central Asia. In the American southwest, new research suggests that wells dug by feral donkeys and horses can benefit the whole ecosystem by increasing water availability during dry times.
© Petra Kaczensky