The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is celebrating the arrival of a new Przewalski’s horse foal, a critically endangered species of wild horse that was once considered extinct in the wild. The birth of the foal marks the first time in almost a decade that the species has been born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
The Przewalski’s horse, also known as “the Last Wild Horse,” was part of a breeding recommendation through the Species Survival Plan program, which works to ensure the genetic diversity of the species. In the past 40 years, the species has survived almost entirely in zoos worldwide and is closely related to the original 12 horses born in their native habitats.
Scientists have been working hard to expand the strength of the Przewalski’s horse population, and in 2020, a world-first successfully cloned horse was born. The colt, named Kurt, offers hope for restoring lost genetic diversity to the species.
The new foal and the rest of the herd can be seen in the Przewalski’s horse habitat at the Safari Park, and guests can visit Kurt in the Central Asia savanna habitat. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation organization committed to conserving wildlife and inspiring a passion for nature. The organization has successfully reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to their native habitats and works with hundreds of partners to improve the outcomes for wildlife.
In conclusion, the birth of the Przewalski’s horse foal is a major milestone in the conservation efforts of the species and a testament to the commitment of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to preserving wildlife for future generations.
