Latest from Horse & Hound in Przewalski

Four endangered breed fillies born in Britain: ‘All foals are doing well’

Lucy Elder — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:22:55 +0000

A British zoo is celebrating a “baby boom” as four endangered breed Przewalski’s horse foals were born safely to mares in its resident herd.

The fillies were born at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire in May and June.

Przewalski’s horses were extinct in the wild as recently as 2008. Breeding and conservation programmes have resulted in the breed being reintroduced to certain areas in the wild, and the population is increasing.

“All the foals are doing well and can often be seen lying or sunbathing in the valley field close by the rest of the herd,” said Erin Luter, hoofstock animal keeper at Marwell Zoo.

“These horses that were previously listed extinct in the wild, are an example of how zoo breeding programmes can help restore threatened species around the world.”

(Image credit: Paul Webber)

She added: “Thanks to breeding programmes like ours at Marwell, they can now be found in reintroduction sites in Mongolia and China and have been downlisted to endangered.”

The first foal was born to Lena, on 3 May, and has been named Zaela, which means mystical or fierce in Mongolian.

Shara, named after a mountain in Mongolia, was the second foal to arrive. She was born to Tsetseg on 11 May.

The other two foals were born a day apart – Bilüü arrived to Tuya on 12 June and Ereen to Speranza on 13 June. Their names are both cities in Mongolia.

All the Przewalski’s horses alive today are descended from 12 individuals. They were declared extinct in the wild for almost 40 years, between 1969 and 2008. Current estimates suggest that there are now 178 mature horses living in the wild.

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Joy as British zoo welcomes birth of previously extinct breed foal

Lucy Elder — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 18:28:11 +0000

A British zoo is celebrating the exciting new arrival of a rare Przewalski’s horse foal.

The breed was extinct in the wild from 1969 to 2008, so foals are a cause for celebration.

The foal was born to dam Tsetseg, at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, on 15 April and is reported to be doing well.

“Tsetseg is a very good mum and her foal has been seen feeding well,” said Katie Foulkes, hoofstock assistant animal keeper at Marwell.

“She is separating herself and the foal from the group slightly, which is perfectly normal, and shows that she is being very protective.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Przewalski’s horses are listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s red list of threatened species. The population is increasing as a result of zoo breeding programmes.

The foal, who is yet to be named, will become part of the European Ex-Situ breeding programme, a population management programme involving multiple zoos.

The new foal can be seen alongside last year’s arrival, Basil, in the zoo’s valley field, which visitors can see from the balcony of its Café Graze.

All Przewalski’s horses alive today are descended from 12 captive individuals, after the population in the wild was declared extinct. In the past, they would have been found from the Russian Steppes to Kazakhstan, Mongolia and northern China.

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(Image credit: Marwell zoo)

Delight as extremely rare-breed foal born at British zoo

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Joy as zoo welcomes safe arrival of two extremely rare foals

The zoo carries out conservation work to protect endangered species

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Delight as extremely rare-breed foal born at British zoo

Lucy Elder — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 12:57:07 +0000

A rare Przewalksi’s horse foal has been born in Britain.

Marwell Zoo, in Hampshire, last week announced the arrival of the extremely rare-breed foal, who is now a month old.

“Marwell is delighted to announce the birth of a rare Przewalski’s foal. These horses were extinct in the wild from 1969 until 2008, so the birth is exciting for the endangered species,” said a Marwell Zoo spokesman.

“The male foal was born to parents Nogger and Speranzer on May 28 and has been named Basil after the first male Przewalski’s horse ever to live at the zoo.”

Basil senior was born in 1963 and joined Marwell in 1970, prior to the zoo opening to the public in 1972. He later moved to San Diego Zoo.

“The naming of the new foal is a nod to Marwell’s 50th anniversary, which the zoo is celebrating this year,” added the spokesman.

“Keepers report the new youngster is staying close to its mother and the females of the herd are being protective.

“The male foal will go on to be an important part of the European ex-situ breeding programme (EEP).”

The EEP is a population management programme for animals of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and is one of the global assembly of regional breeding schemes for threatened species in zoos.

Przewalski horses are listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s red list of threatened species with populations increasing as a result of zoo breeding programmes.

Joy as zoo welcomes safe arrival of two extremely rare foals

Lucy Elder — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 12:02:02 +0000

A British zoo has welcomed the arrival of two extremely rare foals as part of its conservation work to protect endangered species.

A Przewalski’s horse and a Hartmann’s mountain zebra have been born at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire in recent weeks.

The new Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal at Marwell Zoo. (Image credit: Mark Parris/Marwell Zoo)

“Przewalski’s horses had disappeared from the wild by the end of the 1960s.” said Tim Woodfine, the zoo’s director of conservation.

“Marwell played a key role on forming a cooperative breeding programme for this species and planning its reintroduction. We have since provided animals for reintroduction in Mongolia and Hungary, and for grazing management projects in European nature reserves.”

The Przewalski’s horse is now classed as “endangered” and this foal was born to mare Tsetseg on Sunday night (6 June).

The zoo is also celebrating the safe arrival of a scimitar-horned oryx calf and a Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal, who are “thriving”. Both species are classed as “vulnerable” to extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list.

The new Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal at Marwell Zoo. (Image credit: Mark Parris/Marwell Zoo)

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“These births are welcome additions to their respective European ex situ programmes, which are specially managed assurance populations,” said Dr Woodfine.

“Our Przewalski’s horse foal and scimitar-horned oryx calf are reminders that these species disappeared from their natural ranges but have since been successfully reintroduced.

“Our Tunisia team has helped reintroduce scimitar-horned oryx and continues to monitor them to four protected areas. We have also contributed animals and technical support to re-establish the species in the huge Ouadi Rimé‐Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve in Chad as part of an ambitious project undertaken by the government of Chad and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Sahara Conservation Fund.”

He added: “The flexibility and fortitude exhibited by our teams and partners throughout the coronavirus pandemic meant that we achieved much against the odds. The reopening of the zoo is important for generating the income to support our conservation work across the world.”

(Image credit: Marwell Zoo)

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Arrival of endangered species foal boosts lockdown spirits

Sarah Radford — Sat, 02 May 2020 06:08:55 +0000

The public might not be able to meet ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s newest arrival while the nation is in lockdown, but zookeepers have shared the first images of the endangered Przewalski’s foal.

The primitive species was first discovered in 1881 and was once declared extinct in the wild, although it has now been re-introduced in its native Mongolia thanks to efforts by conservationists including Whipsnade. It is considered the only truly wild horse still in existence.

The 600-acre Bedfordshire zoo is the largest in the UK and is home to a small herd of Przewalski’s, including the new filly’s dam Charlotte and sire Nikki.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The as-yet-unnamed foal was born on 13 April, and keepers said she was initially “hidden away” by her proud mum.

“The birth of a Przewalski’s foal is a real cause for celebration; they’re considered to be the last remaining truly wild horse in the world, and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is proud to be part of their conservation success story,” said Mark Holden, team leader at Whipsnade.

“This is the first female we’ve had born in a little while as the last three foals were boys, so we’re hoping to ask our colleagues in Mongolia to help us choose a name.”

Zookeepers added that now Charlotte has loosened her watch on her filly, she can often be seen racing around the paddock.

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“It’s really sad that we can’t share our excitement with visitors right now, but the birth of this endangered foal is another example of the incredibly important work we do; and why we need support. If you can, please help us by visiting our website; every donation helps,” Mark said.

ZSL also operates London Zoo, which celebrated its 192^nd anniversary on 27 April. Both zoos are currently closed for what has been the longest period in their history.

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Rare foal born from breed once ‘wiped out’ in the wild

Becky Murray — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 11:09:18 +0000

A wild animal park is celebrating the birth of a rare foal from a breed which was once “wiped out completely” in the wild.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, owned by a charity in Ashford which breeds some of the world’s most endangered species, welcomed the arrival of a Przewalksi foal to parents Naim and Tergaan on 20 September.

(Image credit: Dave Rolfe)

Head of the hoofstock section at the reserve, Joel Bunce, said: “We’re delighted to welcome this little female to our herd of Przewalski horses. She will help ensure the survival of the species, which was once wiped out completely.

“We have previously returned these horses to the wild in China and Mongolia and we are looking into returning more of these wonderful animals to their native habitat in the near future.”

The Przewalski horse, which is native to Mongolia, was declared extinct in the wild in the 1970s. Through a breeding programme the species was successfully bred in captivity and protected.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reduced the classification to critically endangered in 2008, and after positive reintroductions to the wild horses, their status was further reduced to endangered in 2011.

(Image credit: Dave Rolfe)

Adorable Przewalski’s horse foals ‘thriving’ after bumper breeding year

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Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is owned by the Aspinall Foundation, a world leading conservation charity, and profits from the park go towards helping the foundation to save rare and endangered species in the UK and overseas.

Mr Bunce said: “This little foal is doing really well and it’s lovely to watch her finding her feet and becoming bolder on a daily basis, although she doesn’t leave her mother’s side for too long.”

Visitors can see the foal and the herd of wild horses on the park’s “Asian experience” from the free safari trucks that travel through the park.

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Adorable Przewalski’s horse foals ‘thriving’ after bumper breeding year

Lucy Elder — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 16:22:24 +0000

Four rare foals are “thriving” at a conservation centre in the US.

The Przewalski’s horse foals — three colts and a filly — were born between March and June and are living in a herd with their mothers at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Virginia.

This is the first time in 28 years that the zoo has had this number of foals at one time.

“Native to Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan, Przewalski’s horses are listed as ‘endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature,” said a SCBI spokesman.

“They were once extinct in the wild, and all the Przewalski’s horses alive today are descended from 14 individuals.

“SCBI scientists study Przewalski’s horse reproductive biology and have developed assisted reproduction techniques to help build a self-sustaining and genetically diverse population in human care.

“In 2013, the first Przewalski’s horse born as the result of an artificial insemination was born there.”

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The filly, born on 20 March, is called Dahlores, but the colts have not yet been named and the SCBI is asking the public to vote from a list of names, inspired by the biology and ecology of Przewalksi’s horses.

Keepers have reported that the colts all have very different personalities — the eldest is outgoing and confident, while the second is particularly shy. The youngest is “indecisive” and is said to be still learning how to be a part of his herd.

SCBI ecologists also study Przewalski’s horses in the wild and have been learning about the movement and behaviour of horses reintroduced to Hustai National Park in Mongolia, by tracking them with GPS tags.

This year, 35 foals were born in the park, 28 of which have survived through their first critical months.

“The survival of [so] many of the foals proves that the horses reintroduced to the wild are thriving,” said a SCBI spokesman.

“A healthy population capable of producing foals will be necessary to establish herds of free-ranging Przewalski’s horses in the wild.”

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Ground-breaking research turns equine evolution on its head

Lucy Elder — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 07:04:32 +0000

The world’s last remaining “wild” horses might not be as feral as previously thought.

Research into the ancestry of today’s horses has shed new light on the origin of the species.

It had been believed all modern domesticated breeds could trace their roots back to the Botai horses, from Kazakhstan.

But a pivotal international study has turned this theory on its head.

Researchers investigated genetic and archaeological evidence and discovered the Botai did not give rise to today’s equines, but are instead ancestors of the “wild” Przwalski horses.

The study also indicates there are no surviving purely wild horses.

“Our findings literally turn current population models of horse origins upside-down,” said study leader Professor Ludovic Orlando of the French National Centre for Scientific Research.

“What we used to understand as the last wild horse on earth is in fact the descendant of the earliest domestic horses, which simply escaped human pressure and became feral during the last few millennia.”

The researchers examined the genes of 88 ancient and modern horses from different eras and locations across Eurasia.

They found many of the earliest Przewalski’s horses had white, spotty Dalmatian-style coats.

These horses once roamed freely along the Mongolian-China border and have recently been reintroduced to the region, having been saved from extinction in captivity. Thousands of years ago a surprisingly large number were bred to have the Dalmatian-style colouring, possibly because it looked attractive.

Professor Alan Outram and Professor Victor Zaibert carried out archaeological excavations on the Botai culture over decades, and found communities living there thousands of years ago had horses, who wore bits and were harnessed. The Botai people also milked the horses, ate their meat and built corrals to keep horses close to their homes.

“There is a lot of evidence in the archaeological record demonstrating that Botai horses were husbanded,” said Professor Outram.

“It is not just horse meat that Botai people consumed, but also mare’s milk.

“It was essential to Botai people to manage the horse resource as it provided the basis of their subsistence strategy.

“Probably horses were even first domesticated at Botai because horse riding somehow facilitated horse hunting.”

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“Ironically, we used to think that the endangered population of Przewalski’s horses should be preserved as the last wild horses in the planet,” said Charleen Gaunitz, one of the two PhD students in Professor Orlando’s team.

“We now find that they must be preserved as the closest descent of the earliest domestic horses.”

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Rare wild horses returned to thier homeland in Mongolia

Flora Watkins — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:52:56 +0000

Four Przewalski’s horses – bred in a European zoo – are ready to be reintroduced to the wild in Mongolia.

The last truly wild horse in the world, the breed came close to extinction in the 1960s.

The group, of three mares and a stallion, have spent four months acclimatising in the Khomiin Tal nature reserve on the Mongolian steppe.

They arrived in June, after a 30hr air and road journey from Prague Zoo. Miroslav Bobek, director of Prague Zoo, told H&H the horses had settled in well.

“The mares have attracted the attention of the Przewalski’s horses who are already there,” he said.

“One dominant stallion jumped over the fence to join the new group and started to hassle our stallion.

“We hope the arrival of our young horses will provide new stimulus to the breeding programme there,” he added.

Przewalski’s horse (pronounced Shuh-VAHL-skee) has been bred in captivity for decades. The last wild horse was seen in Mongolia in the1960s.

Efforts to reintroduce the breed to its homeland began in the 1980s. Today the herd numbers about 300.

Mr Bobek said the zoo planned to send another group of four horses next year.

“We need to increase the population to 500,” he said. “That way it will be able to withstand big losses, which can happen in very severe winters.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (24 November 2011)

Przewalski’s horses to return to native western China

Charlotte White — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:04:26 +0000

An international team is preparing to release captive-bred Przewalski’s horses back to their native habitat in western China.

Specialists from the US, Germany and the Netherlands are involved in the release of the horses back into the wild where they finally disappeared due to poaching in 1986.

The Przewalski’s horse is the oldest existing horse breed. Only 1,000 now exist across the world.