When the census was conducted this January, it was found that the total number of wild asses had gone up to 2,839, an increase of 767 since the last census. According to Forest Department sources, the Rann was divided in to three zones for the purpose of carrying out the census. While 1,522 wild asses were spotted in Dhragadhra, 723 were spotted in Radhanpur zone. In Bhachau zone, 594 wild asses were spotted.

Forest officials pointed that wild ass census is different from census of big cats or other animals. Wild asses are counted by direct observation. A team of forest personnel is assigned the task of spotting a herd. The moment a herd is spotted, a forest personnel moves with the herd to avoid duplication in the counting. The staff is provided with binoculars and other equipment.

Officials pointed out that wild ass is alarge animal that needs a big area to move about. A recent move to bring down the size of the sanctuary had kicked off a controversy, with environmentalists stiffly opposing the move.

Census of other animals was also taken up: the number of chinkaras is 865, blue bull 2,128, wolf 97, hyena 41 and wild pigs 735.