Freedom of Převalský’s Horses at Prague Zoo
This truly marks a momentous occasion for Zoo Prague. The Przewalski’s horsesare back where they truly belong. When the herd came out of the acclimatization pen, they displayed calm behavior, allowing the keepers to capture some remarkable photographs under the soft glow of the evening sun. It was an emotional experience that made the extensive preparation and the challenging transportation via CASA aircraft from the Czech Army all worthwhile. This represents a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts of modern zoos.
Zorro the stallion , along with mares Ypsilon, Umbra, Wespe, Sary, and Tessa were completely at ease as they left the pen. They began to graze right away and even started rolling on the grassy terrain shortly after. Meanwhile, in the acclimatization pens located in the Golden Steppe, Zeta II—who was brought in last year alongside Zina II and Grâce, as well as the stallion Galvan and four mares from the Hungarian National Park Hortobágy—remain.
The return of the wild horses
Today, the Przewalski’s Horse is the only species of wild horse still in existence. Due to hunting, habitat loss, and competition with livestock, they were nearly wiped out by the middle of the last century. The Prague Zoo, which is home to one of just two surviving Przewalski’s horse breeding farms after World War II, runs an international studbook for this species and oversees its European breeding program (EEP). Thanks to the dedicated work of breeders, the Przewalski’s horse has been successfully reintroduced to the Mongolian steppe, and now there is an ongoing reintroduction effort in Central Kazakhstan. As part of the Return of the Wild Horses initiative, animals are being transported from Prague with assistance from the Czech Army using military aircraft.
Currently, however, the Przewalski’s horses will not be visible to the public in the zoo grounds—where their corral once stood, there is now a new Gobi exposition that mimics the environment of the Mongolian steppe and desert landscape, home to Przewalski’s horses, manuls, and various other animals. The exhibit also features an authentic yurt, a Mongolian ovo, dinosaur bones, and other interesting artifacts from the Gobi region. You can find this exhibition at the top of the Zoo, near the cable car station.
Most of the herd is currently located in the breeding and acclimatization center in Dolní Dobřejov. A smaller group can also be found in a large enclosure at Dívčí hrady in Prague. You can search for the Przewalski’s horses in this area and view them from several vantage points. It’s a good idea to bring binoculars, and if you’re planning to take photos, a camera with a longer lens will be helpful. The breeding station is not open to the public, but the horses can be observed from a path between the paddocks, along the blue-marked Střezimíř Viewing Trail. You can help support the Return of the Wild Horses project by donating any amount to the collection account for Helping Them Survive (account no.: 43-680 466 0247/0100) or by purchasing souvenirs from the Zoo Prague e-shop in the Helping Them Survive section. And, of course, you can also show your support by visiting Zoo Prague itself.
