A Przewalski's horse foal was born on August 22 at the Alibi Reintroduction Center in the Altyn Dala Nature Reserve. It is the first wild-born foal on the central Kazakhstan steppe in more than 200 years and the first offspring of animals brought to Kazakhstan under the international programme to restore the species.
The Programme's First Foal
The foal is male. Soon after birth, he stood on his own, began following his mother, and started nursing. Specialists report that both animals are in good condition.
The foal's mother, a seven-year-old mare named Tessa, was brought to Kazakhstan from Tierpark Berlin in 2024. His father, Zorro, a stallion from Prague Zoo, died last autumn after suffering a severe leg injury.
The Return of Wild Horses
The reintroduction programme began in 2024 and will continue until at least 2029. During that time, at least 40 horses are to be moved to the steppes of central Kazakhstan to establish a viable, self-sustaining population.
By August 31, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology had also announced a second foal in the programme, born to the mare Umbra. Tessa's foal nevertheless retains its status as the programme's first wild-born offspring.
