MUSTANG: A large herd of more than 100 wild donkeys has been spotted grazing in the highlands of Dhalung and Setara in Lo Manthang Rural Municipality 1 of Upper Mustang, near the Nepal-China border, marking one of the largest sightings in the region.

According to Umesh Paudel, chief of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project office in Lo Manthang, a total of 116 wild donkeys were recorded, including 102 in Dhalung and 14 in Setara, at elevations of around 5,000 meters. The sighting occurred during a recent field visit near the Korala border point.

Experts say the animals are part of a trans-Himalayan population that migrates seasonally between the Tibetan plateau and Upper Mustang. They typically spend winter months in Tibet and move to Nepal’s highlands during warmer months in search of grazing.

Officials noted that previous studies recorded only 37 individuals in 2004, making this a significant increase. The movement is influenced by seasonal changes, availability of pasture, and broader climate patterns, with climate change and human activity posing ongoing threats to the species.