On April 22, during the observance of Earth Day, a significant milestone was reached in the Khomiin Tal National Park, located in the Seeriin Nuruu region of Mongolia. A new Takhi (Przewalski’s horse) foal was born, marking the first foal of the year for the reserve, as part of the ongoing efforts to introduce and preserve the species in the area.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the successful birth is a testament to the ongoing efforts in preserving Mongolia’s diverse wildlife and fostering a stable population of the endangered species in their natural habitat. The Khomiin Tal region has been a focal point for these conservation efforts, which aim to restore natural ecosystems and sustain wildlife populations.
Khomiin Tal is home to a variety of species, and the birth of this foal contributes to the preservation of Mongolia’s unique biodiversity. Moreover, all wild horses living today are believed to be descendants of just nine horses from a group of 31 that existed in 1945. Most of those nine were offspring of 15 horses captured in 1900. Thanks to a successful collaboration between the Zoological Society of London and Mongolian scientists, who took the bold step of reintroducing the horses from zoos back into the wild, over 300 takhi horses were living freely on their native grasslands as of 2011. Worldwide, there are currently around 2,500 takhi living in zoos and in the wild, according to the International Takhi Group.
Despite early setbacks from disease and extreme weather, the takhi population in the Great Gobi B is now growing. Once extinct in the wild, takhi has been classified as “endangered” since 2011. To ensure its long-term survival, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recommends a minimum of 1,000 breeding individuals.
Before the harsh zud of 2022 and 2023, the population peaked at over 400, but around 180 horses died during that winter. The main threats remain severe climate events, overgrazing, and pressure from domestic livestock. Ongoing monitoring and protection of the Gobi Biosphere Reserve are crucial for the species’ recovery.
