Prague Zoo releases Przewalski’s horses into the wild in Kazakhstan

First moments of Przewalski's horses transported to Kazakhstan by Prague Zoo roaming in the wild steppe. Photo: Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

“This is the highest aim any modern zoo can achieve,” says the Prague Zoo director Miroslav Bobek. “This follows not only a long series of similar air transports to western Mongolia, but also the zoo’s entire history, which is closely tied to the efforts to save this last species of wild horse and return its former habitat in Central Asia. The horses transported from European zoos and breeding institutions represent the basis for the local population in the wild. We will try to continue this demanding project in the coming years until there are enough individuals on site to create a viable and genetically diverse population.”

To track the herd after release, two mares—Wespe and Umbra—were fitted with GPS collars. As the harem usually stays together, this will allow to monitor all the horses in the wild. Photo: Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

Prague Zoo is managing the International Studbook of the Przewalski's horse since 1959 and is also the coordinator of the EAZA Ex Situ Programme (EEP). From 2011 to 2019 it organized its own transports to Western Mongolia together with the Air Force of the Czech Army using the CASA C-295 military aircraft. Prague Zoo is currently preparing a new reintroduction project for eastern Mongolia, but meanwhile started transporting and now releasing this species in Kazakhstan.

The horses transported last year and released into the wild this week came to the Golden Steppe with two army planes—one flying from Prague, the other from Berlin with the horses from Tierpark Berlin which is also a partner in this project. The horses transported this year came from Prague Zoo and also Hortobágy National Park in Hungary.

“Each arrival of Przewalski’s horses is the result of long and well-coordinated work by all partners. We are proud to see the vision of restoring a wild population in Kazakhstan steadily becoming reality. These animals are not only part of our national heritage but also a vital component of a healthy steppe ecosystem,” says Vera Voronova, Executive Director of ACBK.

The released horses will be further monitored by the scientists and rangers. The newly arrived horses will spend up to a year adapting to local conditions and forming healthy social structures. They will learn to drink from natural ponds and dig for food under the snow cover during winter. Throughout this process, researchers will closely monitor their health, track their development, and assess the effects of extreme weather or seasonal parasites. Ideally the second group will be released into the wild around the same time next year. 

First Przewalski's horses to be released into the wild nature of central Kazakhstan. Photo: Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo