ASTANA – A second Przewalski’s horse foal has been born in Kazakhstan as part of an international program to restore the endangered species to its historical habitat, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources reported. Photo credit: Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The Astana Times. The foal was born to a mare named Umbra at the Alibi Wild Ungulates Reintroduction Center, located in the Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve in the Kostanai Region. Specialists are monitoring the health and behaviour of both the mare and her newborn foal.
The birth comes just days after the arrival of Kazakhstan’s first Przewalski’s horse foal, which was born at the same center on Aug. 22. The first foal was born to Tessa, a seven-year-old mare that arrived in Kazakhstan from Berlin’s Tierpark in 2024. The two births mark an important milestone for the country’s reintroduction program, demonstrating that the animals brought from European conservation centers are adapting to the Kazakh steppe and reproducing successfully.
The program has expanded significantly since the first horses arrived in Kazakhstan. In June, Astana Times reported on the arrival of four additional Przewalski’s horses to the Altyn Dala Reserve as part of efforts to strengthen the emerging population. The animals were transported from European conservation centers and prepared for gradual adaptation to their new environment.
The reintroduction program began in 2024, when seven Przewalski’s horses were brought to Kazakhstan from Europe. A further seven arrived in 2025, followed by eight in 2026. The program aims to bring approximately 40 horses to Kazakhstan by 2029. Przewalski’s horse, known in Kazakh as kerqūlan or kertaqy, is the last surviving wild horse species.
The species disappeared from the wild during the 20th century but survived through captive breeding programs. Conservation initiatives have since sought to return the animals to parts of their historical range. Kazakhstan’s project is being implemented through cooperation between the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Prague Zoo, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), the Frankfurt Zoological Society, Nuremberg Zoo, Berlin’s Tierpark and Hortobágy National Park, with scientific and veterinary support from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research.
The Altyn Dala State Nature Reserve in the southern part of the Kostanai Region was selected for its rich pasture land, perennial water sources, and protected status. Spanning 489,000 hectares, the area provides ample room for the reintroduced horses to roam freely.
The animals are not confined, but tracked using GPS collars to monitor their movement, health, and habitat integration. Before transportation, each horse underwent rigorous genetic and health screening to help establish a healthy, resilient population. The selection process prioritized genetic diversity, a balanced mix of ages and sexes, and the animals’ ability to adapt to life in the wild.
“We selected the strongest, most adaptable individuals. We know everything about them from their health history to their genetic traits. Horses are chosen not just for fitness but to avoid inbreeding and ensure long-term viability,” said Endre Só́s, then-chief veterinarian at Hungary’s Hortobágy National Park, in an interview with The Astana Times.