“In Mongolia we now have a third-generation foal that was born to a mare that came from our transports. The mare, Anežka, which we transported from Prague to the Gobi in 2012, now has a great-grandchild,” revealed Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s director. He is also delighted about the jubilee foal in the Czech Republic. He firmly believes that the two foals are proof that Prague Zoo’s long-standing efforts are bearing fruit. “The return of the wild horses is going better than I could have ever imagined.”

Previous transports of Przewalski’s horses went to the central and western parts of Mongolia. The herds now inhabit three locations in all: the mountainous Khustain Nuruu region in the centre of the country is home to 422 horses, according to the latest censuses, while the western Mongolian reserves of Gobi B and Khomiin Tal are inhabited by another 516 individuals. A population of 1,000 is viable, so the next transport will head elsewhere - to the east.

“Although it was originally planned to reintroduce the horses to eastern Mongolia decades ago, paradoxically it never came about. It is only now that we are getting it all ready.” explained Bobek, adding that Prague Zoo, in cooperation with Czech and Mongolian organizations, has narrowed down the many sites that were earmarked two years ago to just two.

One is located near the World War II battlefields at Khalkhin Gol, the other a little further south, near the Snake River. Experts will examine both sites not only for the suitability of the terrain or the availability of water sources, but also how hard the local winters are and for potential diseases that could threaten the horses. So, if all goes to plan, within a few years, the Przewalski’s horses could return to these pastures in their former homeland.

Return of the Wild Horses

The Przewalski's horse is the only living species of wild horse. Due to hunting, habitat disturbance and competition from livestock, it almost became extinct in the middle of the 20th century. Prague Zoo kept one of just two breeding herds of Przewalski’s horses that survived the Second World War. This is why it keeps the international studbook for the species and coordinates its European Breeding Programme (EEP).

This year it is the 30th anniversary of the first ever transport of horses to western Mongolia. Naturally, Prague Zoo had a hand in this. It is also 11 years since the first transport was organized as part of the Return of the Wild Horses project. They are transported from Prague in cooperation with the Czech Army using CASA military aircraft. Since 2011, Zoo Prague has transported a total of 34 horses to their home country. There was no transport for the last two years due to the covid 19 pandemic.

At the moment, visitors cannot see the horses in the zoo’s grounds. This is due to their exhibit undergoing reconstruction, so most of the herd is stationed in the breeding and acclimatization facility in Dolní Dobřejov. However, four horses are currently inhabiting a new enclosure built at Prague’s Dívčí hrady. This means people still have an opportunity to observe them, even during the reconstruction. The Przewalski’s horses will return to Prague Zoo in spring 2024 at the earliest.

You can support the return of the wild horses by transferring any amount you wish to the We Help Them Survive collection account (account no.: 43-680 466 0247/0100) or by buying souvenirs from the Prague Zoo e-shop in the section called We Help Them Survive. And, last but not least, of course, by visiting Prague Zoo.