Asia Trail Photo GalleryPrzewalski's Horses—A Strong Spirit
Celebrating a Conservation Success
The National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center is celebrating a major success. Two Przewalski's horses—a wild horse declared extinct in the wild—were born at the Zoo's Front Royal, Virginia, facility in early summer.
In honor of these foals, FONZ is proud to announce its newest Adopt a Species offering, Przewalski’s horses. The special $65 Adopt package, which makes a great gift, includes:
A cuddly plush Przewalski's horse- A personalized certificate
- A Przewalski's horse fact sheet
- A photo of a mother and foal at the Zoo's Conservation and Research Center
The package comes in a custom carrier box sure to thrill anyone who receives it.
About the Przewalski's Horse
The Przewalski's horse has been designated as extinct in the wild by the World Conservation Union, though about 400 horses now live in re-introduction sites in Mongolia and China thanks to the efforts of breeding facilities and zoos around the world, including the Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center, where the two foals were born. Visitors to the Zoo's D.C. campus can see two Przewalski's horses in a yard near the Small Mammal House.
Before their extinction from the wild, the Przewalski's horse lived on steppe vegetation, shrubland, and plains spanning Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and China. Ultimately, the Przewalski's horse disappeared thanks to loss of habitat and water sources to livestock, hunting, and exposure to harsh climate from being pushed into undesirable territory.
While related to today’s domesticated horses, the Przewalski's horse has some distinct differences—a Przewalski's horse has 66 chromosomes, while the horse with which most people are familiar has only 64. Also, having never been tamed for riding, this is the only truly wild horse left on the planet.
An important part of Mongolian culture and a symbol of their national heritage, Przewalski's horses are known as “takhi,” which means “spirit.”
Learn more about Przewalski’s horses.
How Adopting Makes a Difference
When you adopt a Przewalski's horse, you'll help the efforts of the National Zoo and its Conservation and Research Center (CRC) to bring this special animal back from extinction. In addition, your donation will help fund conservation and science programs, exhibit improvement, equipment, and medical care for the 2,000 other animals that live at the Zoo and CRC.
Because your contribution is dedicated directly to animal care, you truly make a difference!
Photos by Jessie Cohen/NZP
