The climate of the region is extreme. May is the hottest month with an average temperature around 31 degree Celsius. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 11 degree Celsius. During the monsoon, the whole region becomes flooded with rainwater.
Vegetation is poor in the Rann of Kutch. It consists of dry thorny scrubs. There are no large trees. The main vegetation in this region includes many species of grasses which form as the source of food for wild asses.
There are only three surviving species of the Wild Ass in the world. Two species are found in central Asia and in and around Tibet. The Khur is high on the list of endangered species. It is estimated 1800 to 2000 of the species of survive today.
Will Ass is known for its speed and stamina. They are capable of Marathon runs are a pace of about 24 km/hr for as long as two hours. Few animals can match with wild ass.
Wild Ass inhabits hills during the monsoon and in the dry season and looks for food down the hill, along the edge of the Little Rann. It frequently raids cultivated fields during darkness. The main treats to Wild Ass are overgrazing by livestock, concentration of disease from domestic horses, besides being killed by farmers when they feed on crops. The wild ass was given full legal protection in 1952.
Apart from the Wild Ass, the other animals that inhabit the region are the Chinkara, Desert Fox, Jackal, Desert Cat, Caracal, Nilgai, Wolf, Blackbuck, and Stripped Hyena.
Wild Ass National Park is also home to nearly 350 different species of birds which include common crane, Pelican and Flamingo. Other birds which are commonly sighted are the blue tailed bee-eater which comes from Europe, the exotic species of crane from Siberia, the ceraneous Vulture form Egypt and the Houbara Bustard form Iran and Iraq. We also get an insight into the lifestyles of the local tribes - Kolis, Rabaris, Bajaniqs, Kutchis, Gujjars and the Bhavads.
