In a historic conservation milestone, Przewalski’s horses have returned to Kazakhstan’s Golden Steppe for the first time in over 200 years. This remarkable event follows decades of dedicated efforts to save the species from extinction. The reintroduction was orchestrated by Prague Zoo, which has been instrumental in the global conservation of these endangered wild horses.
In early June 2024, seven Przewalski’s horses, consisting of one stallion and six mares, were airlifted from Europe to Kazakhstan. This operation marks the first time these horses have set foot in their ancestral homeland in centuries. The horses were transported by Czech military planes to the city of Arkalyk and then traveled by truck to their new home in the Altyn Dala, or Golden Steppe, region.
Przewalski’s horses, named after Russian explorer Nikolai Przewalski, are the last remaining wild horse species. They were declared extinct in the wild in the 1960s due to habitat loss and competition with livestock. However, thanks to international breeding programs, their numbers have been gradually restored in captivity and reintroduced into the wild in Mongolia and China.
The reintroduction in Kazakhstan is part of a broader plan to establish a sustainable population in the region. Over the next five years, Prague Zoo aims to bring at least 40 more horses to the Golden Steppe. The horses will spend a year in an acclimatization enclosure to adapt to the harsh steppe environment before being fully released.
This initiative not only represents a triumph for conservationists but also restores a vital part of Kazakhstan’s natural heritage. The return of Przewalski’s horses to the Golden Steppe is a testament to the power of international cooperation and the enduring resilience of nature.