Less than 100 years after its discovery by europeans
in the year 1877, the Przewalski’s horse became
extinct even in its last retreat in the Dsungarian
Gobi in south-west Mongolia. Fortunately a small population
survived in zoos. This zoo stock goes back to only
13 founder animals. Thanks to an International Studbook,
kept under the auspices of WAZA by Prague Zoo, the
ex situ population of the Przewalski’s horse
has dramatically increased and comprises now some
1.500 animals.
In 1990 the german-based Christian Oswald Foundation
initiated a reintroduction project in the Gobi B Strictly
Protected Area of Mongolia. From 1992 to 2004, no
less than 87 Przewalski’s horses bred by 20
different institutions in 8 countries were returned
to the Gobi B. The Przewalski’s horses adapted
readily to the conditions in the wild and the population
is growing.
|
