Mongabay · Climate & nature

Przewalski’s Horse Foals Born in Kazakhstan After 200 Years

Two Przewalski’s horse foals were born in central Kazakhstan in late August, marking the first births of wild horses in the region in over two centuries. These births are a significant milestone for the reintroduction efforts of this species.

The two male foals, born to mares Tessa and Umbra, are the first to be born on Kazakh soil since the species was wiped out in the area between the mid-18th and mid-19th centuries due to colonization, hunting, and crossbreeding.

These births occurred within a reintroduction center at the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve, a protected area also supporting saiga antelopes and Asiatic wild asses.

Przewalski’s horse, the last living wild relative of the domestic horse, was once extinct-in-the-wild but is now classified as endangered. Historically, they played a crucial role in maintaining steppe ecosystems.

Captive-breeding programs have been instrumental in the species' recovery, with some horses now being returned to their native ranges, including Kazakhstan.

Over the past three years, 22 Przewalski’s horses have been moved to Kazakhstan from European zoos. The goal is to establish a self-sustaining wild population, requiring a minimum of 40 horses.

Conservationists will now focus on monitoring the development of this first generation of Przewalski’s horses born in Kazakhstan.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.