Przewalski's horses, an endangered species, are making a comeback to the Central Asian plains they once roamed. Thanks to the efforts of the Prague Zoo, these wild horses have been reintroduced to their original habitat in Kazakhstan for the first time in at least 200 years.
The disappearance of Przewalski's horses from Central Asia
Przewalski's horses are considered the last truly wild horses on Earth. Once widespread across the vast steppes of Central Asia, their habitat has been gradually destroyed by agriculture and other human activities.
After World War II, their numbers were so low that it became clear they could become extinct in the wild.
Prague Zoo to the rescue of Przewalski's horses
In 1959, a conference was held to find ways to save the species. The Prague Zoo was responsible for the โinternational studbookโ of these animals.
The Prague Zoo has been working for 15 years to reintroduce the species to Central Asia.
A historic event for Kazakhstan
Last June, a Czech army CASA plane landed in central Kazakhstan with four of these endangered animals on board. Tessa, Wespe, Umbra and Sary took an 18-hour flight from Berlin and a seven-hour truck ride to reach their new home.
Two large enclosures totaling 80 hectares have been set up in Altyn Dala โ the Kazakh name for the golden steppe. Here, the horses will acclimatize to their new environment under the close supervision of researchers for a year.
Before being released into the wild, they must demonstrate that they are resistant to frost and parasites and that they can find food under the thick layer of snow that covers the golden steppe in winter.
The ultimate goal: a viable population of Przewalski's horses
Miroslav Bobek, director of the Prague Zoo, said in a statement: “This is an event of historical significance: the seven 'Przewalski' that we transported here by two CASA planes represent the first individuals of this species in the center of the Kazakhstan for hundreds of years. ยป
The end goal is to slowly transport at least 40 horses to this area to create a viable population. The zoo is preparing another transport to Kazakhstan next spring.
The return of Przewalski's horses to the golden steppes of Kazakhstan marks a major turning point in the conservation of this emblematic species. Thanks to the tireless efforts of scientists and conservationists, these magnificent animals have a chance to thrive again in their natural habitat, restoring a valuable ecological balance.
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