After nearly two centuries, Przewalski's horses, the last remaining wild horses in the world, have made a historic return to the steppes of Kazakhstan. This effort is part of an ambitious scheme to reintroduce the endangered species to their native habitats, spearheaded by the Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic, which manages the global studbook for these horses, Reuters informs.
Przewalski's horses, characterized by their distinctive sandy brown coat, once roamed widely across Central Asia. Named after the Russian geographer Nikolai Przewalski, who documented them in the late 19th century, the species' range had already dwindled to a small part of western Mongolia by that time. The wild population had disappeared by the end of the 1960s, though the species survived in captivity.
In a bid to restore these horses to their natural environment, the Prague Zoo has initiated a project to reintroduce them to the Altyn Dala, or Golden Steppe, in central Kazakhstan. This vast region, encompassing approximately 7,000 square kilometers (2,700 square miles) of grassland and wetlands, provides an ideal habitat for these horses.
The first group of seven Przewalski's horses, consisting of a stallion and six mares, arrived in early June. This marks the first time in hundreds of years that wild horses have set foot on the steppes of central Kazakhstan. Over the next five years, an additional 40 horses are expected to join them in this expansive terrain.
"This is a historic moment,"
said Miroslav Bobek, director of the Prague Zoo.
"We still have a long way to go, but seeing these horses in their natural habitat again is a significant milestone."
The transportation of the horses was a meticulous process. Czech army planes flew the horses from Prague and Berlin to the city of Arkalyk in Kazakhstan. From there, the horses undertook a seven-hour journey by truck, accompanied by zookeepers, to their new home.
Upon arrival, the horses were placed in an acclimatization enclosure. Here, they will spend a year learning to navigate the harsh conditions of the steppe, including finding water and food during the severe winters. This acclimatization period is crucial for ensuring the horses' survival in the wild.
The reintroduction of Przewalski's horses to Kazakhstan is part of broader conservation efforts aimed at restoring the ecological balance of the region. These horses play a vital role in the ecosystem by consuming a variety of grasses, which helps to spread seeds and maintain the health of the grasslands.
Albert Salemgareyev, lead specialist for the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Kazakhstan, emphasized the importance of this initiative.
"It is quite important to have these wild horses,"
he stated, highlighting their role in sustaining the biodiversity of the steppe.
Przewalski's horses have already been successfully reintroduced in China and western Mongolia, where their population now numbers around 850. The reintroduction in Kazakhstan is expected to further bolster the global population and contribute to the long-term survival of this remarkable species.
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