Przewalski’s Horse Population Research Thread

History of Takhi at Monarto Safari Park

Monarto began with 4 (1.3) founders from Europe in 1982:

1.0 Khan (Basil x Lena) 30/05/1981 Imported from Marwell Zoo, UK

0.1 Rosinante (Simon x Roccette) 31/05/1978 - 23/09/2005 Imported from Hellabrunn Zoo, Germany
0.1 Kulari (Lestor x Hayley) 07/07/1981 - 19/04/1993 Imported from Marwell Zoo, UK
0.1 Kataryna (Haldo x Vashka) 28/07/1981 Imported from Whipsnade Zoo

A stallion and mare were soon transferred from Dubbo:

1.0 Nikoli (Haldo x Fay) 19/05/1981 - 12/07/2005 (Imported from Whipsnade Zoo, UK)
0.1 Viktorya (Haldo x Verona) 22/04/1981 (Imported from Whipsnade Zoo, UK)

Sometime in the late 80's/early 90's 2 mares were imported from the UK:
(I think these mares may have come from Pearl Coast Zoo.)

0.1 Biancka (Octant x Fay) 29/04/1987 Imported from Whipsnade Zoo, UK
0.1 Geraldina (Leslie x Galina) 13/05/1987 Imported from Midway Manor, UK

Two Dubbo-bred stallions were transferred in at different times:

1.0 Lachlan (Silvio x Kiora) 13/06/1989
1.0 Bataai/Bataar (Viktor/Naylah) 09/01/2010

In 1995 2 mares were sent to Mongolia. 1 was successfully released. See post #31 for details.

Monarto's first foal was born in 1985:

1.0 1307 (Nikoli x Kulari) 15/02/1985 - 27/02/1985

1986

1.0 Genghis (Nikoli x Kulari) 02/02/1986 (Transferred to Tipperary)
1.0 1520 (Khan x Viktorya) 08/12/1986 - 24/05/1991

1987

0.1 1657 (Nikoli x Kulari) 07/12/1987 - 14/06/1990

1988

1.0 Usia (Khan x Kataryna) 01/03/1988 - 29/10/1995 (Transferred to Fernhill)
0.1 Khaliunaa (Khan x Viktorya) 16/03/1988 (Released in Mongolia)
1.0 1783 (Nikoli x Rosinante) 26/10/1988 - 14/06/1990 (Transferred to Fernhill)
0.1 Katya (Nikoli x Kulari) 26/11/1988 - 09/02/2022

1989

1.0 Kobi (Khan x Kataryna) 03.02.1989 - 12/07/2006
1.0 Valeri (Khan x Viktorya) 08/05/1989

1990

0.1 Rosanne (Nikoli x Rosinante) 08/01/1990 - 11/07/2018
0.1 Anuschka (Nikoli x Kulari) 08/03/1990
0.1 Varya (Khan x Viktorya) 14/05/1990 - 23/04/1996 (Released in Mongolia)
1.0 Molya (Khan x Kataryna) 04/08/1990 - 09/04/2015 (Transferred to Werribee)

1991

1.0 Taras (Nikoli x Kulari) 26/02/1991 - 29/05/2005 (Transferred to Dubbo)

1992

0.1 Katinka (Nikoli x Kulari) 31/01/1992
0.1 4463 (Khan x Viktorya) 07/02/1992
1.0 3022 (Nikoli x Rosinante) 27/02/1992 - 28/02/1992
0.1 Anya (Khan x Kataryna) 13/06/1992 - 12/12/1995 (Transferred to Dubbo)

1993

0.1 Natasya (Nikoli x Kulari) 20/01/1993 - 27/03/2018
0.1 Tatyana (Khan x Viktorya) 18/08/1993

1994

1.0 2634 (Khan x Varya) 20/03/1994 (Did not survive)
0.1 Takhi (Khan x Viktorya) 15/08/1994
0.1 Saraa (Khan x Kataryna) 21/10/1994 - 28/06/2016

1995

1.0 Bat (Khan x Viktorya) 31/07/1995
1.0 Zambyn (Khan x Rosinante) 04/08/1995
0.1 Hal (Khan x Kataryna) 06/10/1995

1996

1.0 Godan (Khan x Biancka) 23/04/1996 - 31/12/2012 (Transferred to Werribee)

1997

1.0 Bayan (Lachlan x Rosanne) 09/11/1997

1998

1.0 Art (Lachlan x Viktorya) 08/02/1998

1999

0.1 Davaa (Lachlan x Viktorya) 17/01/1999 (Transferred to Dubbo)
0.1 Mahan (Lachlan x Rosanne) 03/02/1999 - ~2022
1.0 Bian (Lachlan x Biancka) 20/08/1999 - 23/07/2016
0.1 4152 (Lachlan x Viktorya) 26/12/1999 (Transferred to Dubbo)

2000

1.0 Seven (Lachlan x Rosanne) 11/02/2000 - 28/01/2015
1 (Lachlan x Biancka) 23/09/2000 (Did not survive)

2001

1.0 Viktor (Lachlan x Viktorya) 01/01/2001 (Transferred to Dubbo, transferred to Altina)
0.1 3677 (Lachlan x Rosanne) 24/01/2001 - 06/05/2001

2004

1 4424 (Zambyn x Biancka) 15/10/2004 (Did not survive)

2006

1 4684 (Zambyn x Biancka) 15/03/2006 (Did not survive)

2007

1.0 5076 (Zambyn x Geraldina) 14/07/2007
1.0 5104 (Zambyn x Natasya) 06/11/2007 - 26/03/2017 (Transferred to Halls Gap)
0.1 Effie (Zambyn x Natasya) 06/11/2007
(Twins or admin error?)

2008

1.0 5233 (Zambyn x Natasya) 11/11/2008
0.1 Tinka (Zambyn x Katinka) 07/12/2008

2010

1.0 Stan (Molya x Rosanne) 21/10/2010 (Transferred to Dubbo)

2013

0.1 6159 (Zambyn x Davaa) 01.01.2013 (Did not survive)
0.1 Takhi-too (Zambyn x 4152) 16/02/2013

2014

1.0 6378 (Zambyn x Davaa) 20/02/2014
1.0 Wobbles (unk x unk) 30/12/2014

2015

0.1 Christie (Zambyn x Davaa) 12/03/2015
1.0 Cav (Bataai/Effie) 25/11/2015 (Transferred to Altina)

2016

0.1 Makybe (Bataai x unk) 08/05/2016
0.1 Tayla (Bataai x Katinka) 31/07/2016
1.0 Soldya (Bataai x Tinka) 20/08/2016 - 26/01/2018
1 (unk x unk) 00/00/2016

2017

0.1 Annus Mirabilis (Bataai x Effie) 13/03/2017
1.0 7030 (Bataai x Natasya) 21/03/2017

2022

1.0 Sayla (Bataai x Tinka) 07/08/2022
1.0 Zamba (Bataai x Takhi-too) 18/09/2022
0.1 Tilly (Bataai x Effie) 28/09/2022

2023

1.0 Oliver (Bataai x Tinka) 00/09/2023
1.0 Unnamed (Bataai x Effie) 29/09/2023

(This would be very close to a complete list of all the Przewalski's Horses held at Monarto since 1982.)
 
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akasha said:
History of Takhi at Monarto Safari Park

Monarto began with 4 (1.3) founders from Europe in 1982:

1.0 Khan (Basil x Lena) 30/05/1981 Imported from Marwell Zoo, UK

0.1 Rosinante (Simon x Roccette) 31/05/1978 - 23/09/2005 Imported from Hellabrunn Zoo, Germany
0.1 Kulari (Lestor x Hayley) 07/07/1981 - 19/04/1993 Imported from Marwell Zoo, UK
0.1 Kataryna (Haldo x Vashka) 28/07/1981 Imported from Whipsnade Zoo

A stallion and mare were soon transferred from Dubbo:

1.0 Nikoli (Haldo x Fay) 19/05/1981 - 12/07/2005 (Imported from Whipsnade Zoo, UK)
0.1 Viktorya (Haldo x Verona) 22/04/1981 (Imported from Whipsnade Zoo, UK)

Sometime in the late 80's/early 90's 2 mares were imported from the UK:

0.1 Biancka (Octant x Fay) 29/04/1987 Imported from Whipsnade Zoo, UK
0.1 Geraldina (Leslie x Galina) 13/05/1987 Imported from Midway Manor, UK

Two Dubbo-bred stallions were transferred in at different times:

1.0 Lachlan (Silvio x Kiora) 13/06/1989
1.0 Bataai/Bataar (Viktor/Naylah) 09/01/2010

In 1995 2 mares were sent to Mongolia. 1 was successfully released. See post #31 for details.

Monarto's first foal was born in 1985:

1.0 1307 (Nikoli x Kulari) 15/02/1985 - 27/02/1985

1986

1.0 Genghis (Nikoli x Kulari) 02/02/1986 (Transferred to Tipperary)
1.0 1520 (Khan x Viktorya) 08/12/1986 - 24/05/1991

1987

0.1 1657 (Nikoli x Kulari) 07/12/1987 - 14/06/1990

1988

1.0 Usia (Khan x Kataryna) 01/03/1988 - 29/10/1995 (Transferred to Fernhill)
0.1 Khaliunaa (Khan x Viktorya) 16/03/1988 (Released in Mongolia)
1.0 1783 (Nikoli x Rosinante) 26/10/1988 - 14/06/1990 (Transferred to Fernhill)
0.1 Katya (Nikoli x Kulari) 26/11/1988 - 09/02/2022

1989

1.0 Kobi (Khan x Kataryna) 03.02.1989 - 12/07/2006
1.0 Valeri (Khan x Viktorya) 08/05/1989

1990

0.1 Rosanne (Nikoli x Rosinante) 08/01/1990 - 11/07/2018
0.1 Anuschka (Nikoli x Kulari) 08/03/1990
0.1 Varya (Khan x Viktorya) 14/05/1990 - 23/04/1996 (Released in Mongolia)
1.0 Molya (Khan x Kataryna) 04/08/1990 - 09/04/2015 (Transferred to Werribee)

1991

1.0 Taras (Nikoli x Kulari) 26/02/1991 - 29/05/2005 (Transferred to Dubbo)

1992

0.1 Katinka (Nikoli x Kulari) 31/01/1992
0.1 4463 (Khan x Viktorya) 07/02/1992
1.0 3022 (Nikoli x Rosinante) 27/02/1992 - 28/02/1992
0.1 Anya (Khan x Kataryna) 13/06/1992 - 12/12/1995 (Transferred to Dubbo)

1993

0.1 Natasya (Nikoli x Kulari) 20/01/1993 - 27/03/2018
0.1 Tatyana (Khan x Viktorya) 18/08/1993

1994

1.0 2634 (Khan x Varya) 20/03/1994 (Did not survive)
0.1 Takhi (Khan x Viktorya) 15/08/1994
0.1 Saraa (Khan x Kataryna) 21/10/1994 - 28/06/2016

1995

1.0 Bat (Khan x Viktorya) 31/07/1995
1.0 Zambyn (Khan x Rosinante) 04/08/1995
0.1 Hal (Khan x Kataryna) 06/10/1995

1996

1.0 Godan (Khan x Biancka) 23/04/1996 - 31/12/2012 (Transferred to Werribee)

1997

1.0 Bayan (Lachlan x Rosanne) 09/11/1997

1998

1.0 Art (Lachlan x Viktorya) 08/02/1998

1999

0.1 Davaa (Lachlan x Viktorya) 17/01/1999 (Transferred to Dubbo)
0.1 Mahan (Lachlan x Rosanne) 03/02/1999 - ~2022
1.0 Bian (Lachlan x Biancka) 20/08/1999 - 23/07/2016
0.1 4152 (Lachlan x Viktorya) 26/12/1999 (Transferred to Dubbo)

2000

1.0 Seven (Lachlan x Rosanne) 11/02/2000 - 28/01/2015
1 (Lachlan x Biancka) 23/09/2000 (Did not survive)

2001

1.0 Viktor (Lachlan x Viktorya) 01/01/2001 (Transferred to Dubbo, transferred to Altina)
0.1 3677 (Lachlan x Rosanne) 24/01/2001 - 06/05/2001

2004

1 4424 (Zambyn x Biancka) 15/10/2004 (Did not survive)

2006

1 4684 (Zambyn x Biancka) 15/03/2006 (Did not survive)

2007

1.0 5076 (Zambyn x Geraldina) 14/07/2007
1.0 5104 (Zambyn x Natasya) 06/11/2007 - 26/03/2017 (Transferred to Halls Gap)
0.1 Effie (Zambyn x Natasya) 06/11/2007
(Twins or admin error?)

2008

1.0 5233 (Zambyn x Natasya) 11/11/2008
0.1 Tinka (Zambyn x Katinka) 07/12/2008

2010

1.0 Stan (Molya x Rosanne) 21/10/2010 (Transferred to Dubbo)

2013

0.1 6159 (Zambyn x Davaa) 01.01.2013 (Did not survive)
0.1 Takhi-too (Zambyn x 4152) 16/02/2013

2014

1.0 6378 (Zambyn x Davaa) 20/02/2014
1.0 Wobbles (unk x unk) 30/12/2014

2015

0.1 Christie (Zambyn x Davaa) 12/03/2015
1.0 Cav (Bataai/Effie) 25/11/2015 (Transferred to Altina)

2016

0.1 Makybe (Bataai x unk) 08/05/2016
0.1 Tayla (Bataai x Katinka) 31/07/2016
1.0 Soldya (Bataai x Tinka) 20/08/2016 - 26/01/2018
1 (unk x unk) 00/00/2016

2017

0.1 Annus Mirabilis (Bataai x Effie) 13/03/2017
1.0 7030 (Bataai x Natasya) 21/03/2017

2022

1.0 Sayla (Bataai x Tinka) 07/08/2022
1.0 Zamba (Bataai x Takhi-too) 18/09/2022
0.1 Tilly (Bataai x Effie) 28/09/2022

2023

1.0 Oliver (Bataai x Tinka) 00/09/2023
1.0 Unnamed (Bataai x Effie) 29/09/2023

(This would be very close to a complete list of all the Przewalski's Horses held at Monarto since 1982.)
Click to expand...

That’s cool to see the first male Przewalski's horse Monarto imported (Kahn) was a son of Marwell’s legendary Basil.

Basil was born 1963 and was imported by Marwell Zoo in 1970 to found a breeding herd at that zoo. After a successful stud career, Basil was sent to San Diego to become their breeding stallion.

Kahn’s son Zambyn appears to have been as prolific as his grandfather, siring numerous Monarto foals - including the mothers of the three latest foals.
 
Przewalski's Horses at Pearl Coast Zoo

In 1987/1988 Pearl Coast Zoo acquired a herd of 1.8 horses imported from the UK.

0.4 Imported from Marwell Zoo
0.3 Imported from Midway Manor
1.1 Imported from Whipsnade Zoo

Using the studbook, and knowing those animals went to Tipperary/Fernhill, this is my best guess at which horses were at Pearl Coast Zoo.

1.0 Oskar (Octant x Natayla) 11/05/1987 Imported from Whipsnade Zoo (Transferred to Tipperary/Fernhill)

0.1 Betsie (Leslie x Moukhina) 10/06/1986 Imported from Midway Manor (Transferred to Tipperary/Fernhill)
0.1 1535 (Bergen x Lena) 25/03/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (Transferred to Tipperary/Fernhill)
0.1 Biancka (Octant x Fay) 29/04/1987 Imported from Whipsnade Zoo (Transferred to Monarto)
0.1 Geraldina (Leslie x Galina) 13/05/1987 Imported from Midway Manor (Transferred to Monarto)
0.1 Marina (Leslie x Moukhina) 23/06/1987 Imported from Midway Manor (Transferred to Tipperary/Fernhill)
0.1 1622 (Jeanhold x Hayley) 06/07/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (Transferred to Tipperary/Fernhill)
0.1 1629 (Bergen x Ledal) 12/07/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (Transferred to Tipperary/Fernhill)
0.1 1645 (Bergen x Lenka) 27/08/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (Transferred to Tipperary/Fernhill)

My guess would be that they all went to Tipperary and then 2 of the mares were traded for 3 colts from Monarto.
 
History of Takhi at Fernhill Estate (and Tipperary Station)

When Pearl Coast Zoo closed, their Przewalski's Horse herd went to Tipperary Station. Fernhill Estate at Mulgoa belonged to the same owner, so horses in the studbook listed under Tipperary or Fernhill are part of the same herd. It's impossible to say which location individuals were actually at as the studbook uses the two names interchangeably (like Monarto/Adelaide even though all the horses are held at Monarto). I assume they went to Tipperary and then to Fernhill, but I don't know if they all went as some did breed. The records also read as some Fernhill animals going to Tipperary, but I don't know if that actually happened, or it was just sloppy book-keeping.

My guess would be that 1.8 went to Tipperary, and then 2 mares were traded for 3 colts from Monarto. Tipperary/Fernhill's breeding herd started with 10 (4.6) horses:

1.0 Genghis (Nikoli x Kulari) 02/02/1986 - 1989 Transferred from Monarto
1.0 Oskar (Octant x Natayla) 11/05/1987 Imported from Whipsnade Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
1.0 Usia (Khan x Kataryna) 01/03/1988 - 29/10/1995 Transferred from Monarto
1.0 1783 (Nikoli x Rosinante) 26/10/1988 - 14/06/1990 Transferred from Monarto

0.1 Betsie (Leslie x Moukhina) 10/06/1986 Imported from Midway Manor (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 1535 (Bergen x Lena) 25/03/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 Marina (Leslie x Moukhina) 23/06/1987 Imported from Midway Manor (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 1622 (Jeanhold x Hayley) 06/07/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 1629 (Bergen x Ledal) 12/07/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 1645 (Bergen x Lenka) 27/08/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)

1990

0.1 Madeline (Genghis x Betsie) 16/01/1990
0.1 Shauna (Genghis x 1645) 29/10/1990

1993

0.1 Danny (Usia x Betsie) 27/12/1993

1995

0.1 Kathy (Oskar x 1622) 01/02/1995
1.0 Peter (Oskar x 1645) 03/02/1995
1.0 John (Oskar x 1629) 15/05/1995

1998

1.0 5812 (Oskar x 1629) 06/01/1998

2000

1.0 5896 (Oskar x 1645) 05/12/2000

2001

1.0 5906 (Peter x Betsie) 22/12/2001

2002

1.0 5933 (Peter x 1535) 16/01/2002

These are all the recorded individuals in the studbook for Fernhill/Tipperary. In 2020 the NSW government became the owners of Fernhill Estate and are attempting to rehome the horses. I visited in Feb 2023 and saw foals there, so the herd is still a viable breeding herd. At that time I was told there were 15-17 horses at Fernhill.
 
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@akasha, Thanks for the update and analysis of the Australian Takhi population.

What I do observe is that after initial imports no new Takhi came to Australia. I do wonder about the genetic base of the current population!

Why have since initial imports no further transfers and animal transports from say f.e. Praha Zoo, Czech Republic or even Tierpark Berlin, Germany allowing for different unrelated individuals to be acquired?
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
@akasha, Thanks for the update and analysis of the Australian Takhi population.

What I do observe is that after initial imports no new Takhi came to Australia. I do wonder about the genetic base of the current population!

Why have since initial imports no further transfers and animal transports from say f.e. Praha Zoo, Czech Republic or even Tierpark Berlin, Germany allowing for different unrelated individuals to be acquired?
Click to expand...

The most likely explanation is that compared to other managed populations in the region, we’ve previously imported a decent number of founders during the early decades to create a genetically diverse population.

Combined with the fact this species has the potential for long inter-generational gaps (stallions and mares breeding into their 20’s) and we’re only now reaching the stage additional imports would be beneficial.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
@akasha, Thanks for the update and analysis of the Australian Takhi population.

What I do observe is that after initial imports no new Takhi came to Australia. I do wonder about the genetic base of the current population!

Why have since initial imports no further transfers and animal transports from say f.e. Praha Zoo, Czech Republic or even Tierpark Berlin, Germany allowing for different unrelated individuals to be acquired?
Click to expand...
In 1998 Dubbo did an import from the UK of 2.3 horses. Ronald was one of those and went on to become a breeding stallion at Dubbo, Werribee and Altina. I am getting to Dubbo post-1995, but info is tough to source. If I had confirmation of the current herd I could finish it, but I’m having difficulties with obtaining that.
 
akasha said:
History of Takhi at Fernhill Estate (and Tipperary Station)

When Pearl Coast Zoo closed, their Przewalski's Horse herd went to Tipperary Station. Fernhill Estate at Mulgoa belonged to the same owner, so horses in the studbook listed under Tipperary or Fernhill are part of the same herd. It's impossible to say which location individuals were actually at as the studbook uses the two names interchangeably (like Monarto/Adelaide even though all the horses are held at Monarto). I assume they went to Tipperary and then to Fernhill, but I don't know if they all went as some did breed. The records also read as some Fernhill animals going to Tipperary, but I don't know if that actually happened, or it was just sloppy book-keeping.

My guess would be that 1.8 went to Tipperary, and then 2 mares were traded for 3 colts from Monarto. Tipperary/Fernhill's breeding herd started with 10 (4.6) horses:

1.0 Genghis (Nikoli x Kulari) 02/02/1986 - 1989 Transferred from Monarto
1.0 Oskar (Octant x Natayla) 11/05/1987 Imported from Whipsnade Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
1.0 Usia (Khan x Kataryna) 01/03/1988 - 29/10/1995 Transferred from Monarto
1.0 1783 (Nikoli x Rosinante) 26/10/1988 - 14/06/1990 Transferred from Monarto

0.1 Betsie (Leslie x Moukhina) 10/06/1986 Imported from Midway Manor (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 1535 (Bergen x Lena) 25/03/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 Marina (Leslie x Moukhina) 23/06/1987 Imported from Midway Manor (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 1622 (Jeanhold x Hayley) 06/07/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 1629 (Bergen x Ledal) 12/07/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)
0.1 1645 (Bergen x Lenka) 27/08/1987 Imported from Marwell Zoo (via Pearl Coast Zoo)

1990

0.1 Madeline (Genghis x Betsie) 16/01/1990
0.1 Shauna (Genghis x 1645) 29/10/1990

1993

0.1 Danny (Usia x Betsie) 27/12/1993

1995

0.1 Kathy (Oskar x 1622) 01/02/1995
1.0 Peter (Oskar x 1645) 03/02/1995
1.0 John (Oskar x 1629) 15/05/1995

1998

1.0 5812 (Oskar x 1629) 06/01/1998

2000

1.0 5896 (Oskar x 1645) 05/12/2000

2001

1.0 5906 (Peter x Betsie) 22/12/2001

2002

1.0 5933 (Peter x 1535) 16/01/2002

These are all the recorded individuals in the studbook for Fernhill/Tipperary. In 2020 the NSW government became the owners of Fernhill Estate and are attempting to rehome the horses. I visited in Feb 2023 and saw foals there, so the herd is still a viable breeding herd. At that time I was told there were 15-17 horses at Fernhill.
Click to expand...
Great news - the first of three herds has officially arrived at Zambi Wildlife Retreat who have offered to provide a home for the abandoned horses from Mulgoa.

From the video it appears the first herd consists of eight individuals - including at least one youngster.

3K views · 179 reactions | SOMETHING INCREDIBLE and TOTALLY AMAZING HAPPENED at ZAMBI LAST WEEK! We finally did it!!! After 12 months of sheer determination, dedication, passion... | By Zambi Wildlife Retreat | Facebook
 
Jambo said:
Great news - the first of three herds has officially arrived at Zambi Wildlife Retreat who have offered to provide a home for the abandoned horses from Mulgoa.

From the video it appears the first herd consists of eight individuals - including at least one youngster.

3K views · 179 reactions | SOMETHING INCREDIBLE and TOTALLY AMAZING HAPPENED at ZAMBI LAST WEEK! We finally did it!!! After 12 months of sheer determination, dedication, passion... | By Zambi Wildlife Retreat | Facebook
Click to expand...

Oh that's wonderful, go Zambi, what an awesome thing to do, such brilliant news. Thanks for sharing Jambo. The video of them is great (they're so beautiful), quite inspiring that they've done that for the tanaki horses hey, a happy occurence.
 
Jambo said:
Great news - the first of three herds has officially arrived at Zambi Wildlife Retreat who have offered to provide a home for the abandoned horses from Mulgoa.

From the video it appears the first herd consists of eight individuals - including at least one youngster.

3K views · 179 reactions | SOMETHING INCREDIBLE and TOTALLY AMAZING HAPPENED at ZAMBI LAST WEEK! We finally did it!!! After 12 months of sheer determination, dedication, passion... | By Zambi Wildlife Retreat | Facebook
Click to expand...

After looking at that link, why do i get the feeling that Zambi is a revamped version of bullens.

Any way, good news to see them finally placed. I imagine we will see a few transfers into zoo herds soon. Being isolated for so long. They would have created there own version of genetic drift. Which would probably make them genetically different to most found in current zoo herds.
 
Tiger91 said:
After looking at that link, why do i get the feeling that Zambi is a revamped version of bullens.

Any way, good news to see them finally placed. I imagine we will see a few transfers into zoo herds soon. Being isolated for so long. They would have created there own version of genetic drift. Which would probably make them genetically different to most found in current zoo herds.
Click to expand...

The herd is descended from Marwell, so is closely related to most of the regional population. It’ll be interesting to see how breeding is managed i.e. whether due to inbreeding, breeding is ceased and the three herds allowed to die out over the next couple of decades, or whether they’ll be any move to bring in unrelated stallions to head up new breeding herds with the incoming mares.

A number of the incoming colts could well be castrated and a bachelor herd established from these new arrivals.
 
Zoofan15 said:
The herd is descended from Marwell, so is closely related to most of the regional population. It’ll be interesting to see how breeding is managed i.e. whether due to inbreeding, breeding is ceased and the three herds allowed to die out over the next couple of decades, or whether they’ll be any move to bring in unrelated stallions to head up new breeding herds with the incoming mares.

A number of the incoming colts could well be castrated and a bachelor herd established from these new arrivals.
Click to expand...
I would be surprised if integrating some individuals (like the colts) from this population into the main regional population isn't considered at least.

As @Tiger91 states, genetic drift is a possibility, although it's worth noting this population hasn't really been inbreeding for that long.
 
Zoofan15 said:
The herd is descended from Marwell, so is closely related to most of the regional population. It’ll be interesting to see how breeding is managed i.e. whether due to inbreeding, breeding is ceased and the three herds allowed to die out over the next couple of decades, or whether they’ll be any move to bring in unrelated stallions to head up new breeding herds with the incoming mares.

A number of the incoming colts could well be castrated and a bachelor herd established from these new arrivals.
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When you have isolated populations like these, genetic drift occurs with new genes developing and being bred into the young. All animals in inbred or genetically healthy populations form new genetics over time. With gene sequencing it would be interesting to see if these horses are aplicable to the program.

There is a very large possibility some of these young foals are actually quite good genetic matches for the current herds. Where we have been curating them in zoos. Bringing in new genetics. These haven't had that. So while these descend from the Marwell horses, they don't have the genes the overall population has had mixed through them. I wouldnt be surprised to see some mares and or colts moved out to some of the other breeding herds on the next few years.
 
Tiger91 said:
Out of curiosity how long have they been there ? I love that til now we have just let them sit there.
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See the post by @akasha above on the history of the Tipperary/Fernhill population. Tipperary’s records are a mess to be honest, with numerous inconsistencies reported in the Common hippopotamus they held.

It’s good they’ve survived (as opposed to be shot etc). but unfortunate their welfare was compromised by their abandonment, with inevitable fighting between the stallions as the population expanded.
 
Some additional information on the Przewalski horse rescue:

We finally did it!!! After 12 months of sheer determination, dedication, passion, and a lot of hard work, we have successfully relocated the first of three herds of abandoned wild Przewalski’s horses to Zambi. It still feels surreal to see this magnificent herd arrive safely in their new home.

This has been one of the largest rescue missions of a truly wild horse species ever accomplished, and words can’t begin to describe the elation of the Zambi team.

The Przewalski’s horse is the only true wild horse left in the world. Once declared extinct in their native regions of Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China, they’ve been slowly reintroduced through zoo breeding programs. But they remain highly endangered, and global conservation efforts are critical to their survival.

These particular horses were abandoned years ago by a private zoo owner in Mulgoa, NSW. Unable to be captured, they roamed the scrublands of Fernhill Estate, suffering horrific injuries and deaths due to unsafe fencing and stallion fights. Despite many failed rescue attempts over the years, their future looked bleak.

When the property was acquired by the government and entrusted to Greater Sydney Parklands (GSP), they knew something had to be done. GSP reached out to Zambi, and together we began the journey to save these incredible animals. GSP generously funded the construction of expansive enclosures with shelters, natural dams, shady trees, grassy pastures, and veterinary facilities.

But the real challenge was safely relocating these wild horses. Thanks to our global network of wildlife professionals, and the extraordinary efforts of Zelie and Craig Bullen and their children Colt and Blaze, we achieved what many thought was impossible. The Bullen family, known for their work in the film industry with horses, put their lives and income on hold to make this happen — and we are forever grateful.

We also extend our deepest thanks to:

Dr Benn Bryant, Australia’s leading Przewalski’s horse vet, The Sydney Zoo vet team, especially Dr Kresen Pillay and nurse Vivien Vu, Jason Pearsonfrom Zoo to Zoo Transport, Barbora Dobiasova, European species coordinator and our neighbour and Olympic horseman, Greg McDermott, for his ongoing support

The Bullen family will remain on-site to help the horses settle in and train our staff — but this is just the beginning. Two more herds still need to be rescued, and the long-term care of these horses is a massive undertaking.
 
akasha said:
In June 2025, the first of three herds was transferred from Fernhill Estate to Zambi Wildlife Retreat. The herd comprised of eight horses:

1.0 Kahn
1.0 Batu (gelding)
1.0 Serik (gelding)
0.1 Sarnai
0.1 Och
0.1 Tuya
0.1 Koko
0.1 Nara
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Were Batu and Serik gelded at Fernhill??? Or shortly after arriving at Zambi?
 
Wisp O' Mist said:
Were Batu and Serik gelded at Fernhill??? Or shortly after arriving at Zambi?
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They would have been gelded during the capture/transfer process to Zambi. The Fernhill herd were basically living feral and receiving no veterinary treatment until this intervention. Gelding these males may enable them to remain in this herd long term, which is led by the stallion Kahn.
 
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