Endangered Przewalski’s horse, native to Russia, born at El Paso Zoo

EL PASO, Texas - A new European and Asian arrival has entered the animal kingdom right here at the El Paso Zoo! On Tuesday, a female Przewalski’s Horse, or filly, was born. She and her mother are doing well at the zoo, and you can see the new baby today!

But the birth of this species is more important than you may think. Przewalski’s horses are extinct in the wild. Native to Europe and Asia, the species disappeared from its natural habitat in the 1960s. Since then, conservation efforts have kept the rare species alive, but only in captivity.

Przewalski’s horses are also known as Mongolian Horses. They are also considered the last truly wild horses found in the world. They are described as short and stocky, dun-colored (type of brown), and their mane stands up similarly to zebra's manes.

Two other fillies have been born here in El Paso- one named Holly, who was transferred to the San Diego Safari Park, and Misha, who was transferred to a facility in Minnesota.

The El Paso Zoo is a frontrunner in the conservation effort of the Przewalski’s horse, but there are some other zoos that are working to produce more of the breed. The goal of the zoos is to eventually introduce a small group of the species back to the wild on territory in Russia. However, due to the current political situation with the war in Ukraine, that mission has been put on pause.

You'll have to visit the El Paso Zoo to see the new arrival. A link to their website, with ticket price information, can be found here.