Bronx Zoo announces birth of rare endangered Przewalski’s horse

The Bronx Zoo welcomed a new addition to its herd of endangered Przewalski’s horses.

The foal, born April 21 at the Bronx Zoo, is now on view at the zoo’s Wild Asia Monorail exhibit, where visitors can spot the young horse alongside its herd and other Asian wildlife species.

A Przewalski's horse runs alongside the young foal at the Bronx Zoo. — A Przewalski’s horse runs alongside the young foal at the Bronx Zoo.Photo courtesy of the Bronx Zoo.

Previously declared extinct in the wild in 1969 due to hunting, inbreeding, and harsh weather, the species had been successfully reintroduced to their native habitat in the Chinese and Mongolian grasslands between 1989 and 1992 through conservation efforts.

The Wildlife Conservation Society and the Bronx Zoo have played a major role in the species’ recovery through cooperative breeding programs aimed at maintaining a genetically diverse population. WCS also continues to support protected areas in Mongolia that are home to wild horse populations.

An endangered Przewalski's foal gallops at the Bronx Zoo. — An endangered Przewalski’s foal gallops at the Bronx Zoo.Photo courtesy of the Bronx Zoo.

Despite rebounding from extinction in the wild, Przewalski’s horses remain listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with fewer than 2,000 estimated to exist worldwide.

Przewalski’s horses are distinguished from domestic horses by their stockier build, shorter legs, dun-colored coats and dark upright manes.

Visitors have the opportunity to view the foal aboard the Wild Asia Monorail through October, alongside species including red pandas, tigers, greater one-horned rhinos, and the rarer markhors and gaurs.

Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!