Two endangered Przewalski’s horses have been returned to the wild in their native Kazakhstan after a 3,000-mile journey, Marwell Zoo has announced.
Named Shara and Togs, the female Przewalski’s horses were born and raised at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, England.
They have been reintroduced to the wild as part of international efforts to save the species from extinction.
Two Przewalski’s horses have been reintroduced to the wild as part of international efforts to save the species from extinction
The species was listed as extinct in the wild on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List from 1969 until 2008. It was reclassified as endangered in 2011.
Through dedicated breeding and reintroduction programmes led by conservation organisations across Europe, including Marwell Zoo, Przewalski’s horses have made an incredible comeback.
"Not long ago, Przewalski’s horses were extinct in the wild, so being part of their return is extremely exciting," Ian Goodwin, animal operations manager at Marwell Zoo, said in a previous statement.
"They were one of the very first species at the zoo when it opened in 1972, so we have been working with them for more than 50 years," he added.
Endangered horses returned to wild
"Thanks to our strong breeding success, we’re able to play an active role in rebuilding wild populations where they belong."
In more news, Marwell Zoo has teamed up with the University of Surrey to develop a bespoke AI nocturnal behaviour observation system.
The zoo is also working on drone technology to monitor endangered species in the wild in partnership with the University of Southampton.
Images courtesy of Petr Jan Juračka and Oliver Le Que
