Przewalski’s Horse Population Research Thread

akasha

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
I have been working on a population list for Przewalski's Horse for over a year and although there are only four official holders, detailed information has been difficult to source. Below is what I have so far, I'll detail what I know about each facility. If anyone has anything to add I'd appreciate it. Once I gather some more info, I'll post a complete list in a new population thread.

Altina, Monarto, TWPZ and Werribee all hold breeding herds, with fairly regular transfers. There is also a remnant herd at Fernhill Estate from a private collection.
 
As of 03.02.2023, this information about Werribee is confirmed. Werribee holds 10 horses.

Werribee Open Range Zoo, VIC, Australia (3.7)

1.0 Ronald (Sicaron x Natasha) 20/05/1995 Imported from UK to Dubbo. Transferred from Altina
1.0 Zhenjin (unk x unk) 00/02/2014 Transferred from Monarto 2020/2021
1.0 Tahki (Molya x 3483) 21/12/2015

0.1 Hatan (unk x Mahan) 11/05/2014
0.1 Cyba
0.1 Mila (Viktor x Suren) 03/11/2014 Transferred from TWPZ 2020/2021
0.1 Bukhara (Stan x Suren) 20/01/2016 Transferred from TWPZ 2020/2021
0.1 Naruu (Stan x Suren) 22/02/2017 Transferred from TWPZ 2020/2021
0.1 Saikhan (Ronald x Mahan) 00/12/2017
0.1 Numrug (unk x unk) 00/00/0000 Transferred from TWPZ 2020/2021
 
As of August 2022, this information about Monarto was confirmed. I know there has been another foal since then.

Monarto Safari Park, SA, Australia (4.8.1)

1.0 Bayan (Lachlan x Rosanne) 09/11/1997
1.0 Bataai/Bataar (Viktor x Naylah) 09/01/2010 Transferred from TWPZ
1.0 Wobbles (unk x unk) 30/12/2014
1.0 (Bataai x Tinka) 00/08/2022

0.1 Katya (Nikoli x Kulari) 26/11/1988
0.1 Takhi (Khan x Viktorya) 15/08/1994
0.1 Effie (Zambyn x Natasya) 06/11/2007
0.1 Tinka (Zambyn x Katinka) 07/12/2008
0.1 Takhi-too (Zambyn x 4152) 16/02/2013
0.1 Makybe (Bataai x unk) 08/05/2016
0.1 Tayla (Bataai x Katinka) 31/07/2016
0.1 Annus Mirabilis (Bataai x Effie) 13/03/2017

1 (unk x unk) 00/00/2022
 
I contacted Greater Sydney Parklands to ask about the horses at Fernhill Estate. I was told there are 15-17 horses, and was directed to this website for more info. It states, “The Przewalski’s horses on the Estate are an extremely rare species of Mongolian wild horse, once thought to be extinct in the wild. These horses were kept by the previous landowner as part of a private animal collection and were abandoned onsite. Greater Sydney Parklands is working with Local Land Services, the Department of Primary Industries and the Zoo Aquarium Association Australasia to relocate these animals to a suitable home over the long term. Until a suitable home is found, we will continue to work diligently to contain the impacts of these wild animals.” I was told that the website would be updated when ‘rehoming progresses’.

My curiosity wasn’t entirely satisfied with those answers, and today I had a chance to call in to Fernhill Estate on my way home from Sydney. I arrived 15 minutes before the gate closes, and spotted the horses immediately as they were in the first paddock on the left. I saw 8 horses, including a yearling colt and a small foal. I snapped a few photos while I was there in case anyone else was curious :)

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What I have for Altina, was gathered from social media and news articles. I don’t have an exact number, but this is what I’ve gathered so far. Any additional info would be appreciated.

Altina aquired a mare, Kyakhta from TWPZ some time between 2009 and 2011. She was born at Werribee. Their first stallion was Ronald, who also came from TWPZ. He was imported from Whipsnade Zoo, UK and is now at Werribee. They produced two fillies, Dash and Ally pre-2015. One was born in 2012, I'm not sure which.

Ronald was replaced by Viktor in 2015. At least 8 foals were sired by Viktor.

In 2020 Viktor was replaced by Cav, who came from Monarto. I believe he has sired 4 foals, the first born in August last year.


Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia

1.0 Cav; (Bataai x 5103) 25/11/2015 Transferred from Monarto 2020
0.1 Kyakhta/Kay/K (Godan x 3483) 29/11/2001 Transferred from Dubbo (Born at Werribee)
0.1 Dash (Ronald x Kyakhta) pre-2015 Altina born 23.12.2012?
0.1 Ally (Ronald x Kyakhta) pre-2015 Altina born 23.12.2012?
0.1 Brossy (Viktor x Dash) 00/11/2017
0.1 Callie (Viktor x Ally?)
1.0 Fred (Viktor x Kyakhta) 29/09/2016
1.0 Zed
1.0 Jed (Viktor x Kyakhta) 00/11/2018
1.0 Ned
1.0 Bayar 00/12/2019
1.0 Led 2020
1.0 Ted (Cav x unk) 00/08/2022
1.0 Ed (Cav x unk) 21/12/2022
0.1 Eva (Cav x unk) 21/01/2023
0.1 Flicka (Cav x Kyakhta) 27/01/2023
 
What I have for Altina, was gathered from social media and news articles. I don’t have an exact number, but this is what I’ve gathered so far. Any additional info would be appreciated.

Altina aquired a mare, Kyakhta from TWPZ some time between 2009 and 2011. She was born at Werribee. Their first stallion was Ronald, who also came from TWPZ. He was imported from Whipsnade Zoo, UK and is now at Werribee. They produced two fillies, Dash and Ally pre-2015. One was born in 2012, I'm not sure which.

Ronald was replaced by Viktor in 2015. At least 8 foals were sired by Viktor.

In 2020 Viktor was replaced by Cav, who came from Monarto. I believe he has sired 4 foals, the first born in August last year.


Altina Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia

1.0 Cav; (Bataai x 5103) 25/11/2015 Transferred from Monarto 2020
0.1 Kyakhta/Kay/K (Godan x 3483) 29/11/2001 Transferred from Dubbo (Born at Werribee)
0.1 Dash (Ronald x Kyakhta) pre-2015 Altina born 23.12.2012?
0.1 Ally (Ronald x Kyakhta) pre-2015 Altina born 23.12.2012?
0.1 Brossy (Viktor x Dash) 00/11/2017
0.1 Callie (Viktor x Ally?)
1.0 Fred (Viktor x Kyakhta) 29/09/2016
1.0 Zed
1.0 Jed (Viktor x Kyakhta) 00/11/2018
1.0 Ned
1.0 Bayar 00/12/2019
1.0 Led 2020
1.0 Ted (Cav x unk) 00/08/2022
1.0 Ed (Cav x unk) 21/12/2022
0.1 Eva (Cav x unk) 21/01/2023
0.1 Flicka (Cav x Kyakhta) 27/01/2023

According to Altina’s socials, there were five foals born this season - the fifth was born this week, but no further details were given.

This means all five mares delivered foals, with the mother of the new foal being either Dash, Ally, Brossy or Callie.
 
I don’t have current numbers for TWPZ. In 2019 they had 18. If anyone has more up to date info that would be great. Thanks.

The latest figure I have is from 2020 (18 horses), though since then Bukhara, Mila, Naruu and Numrug have transferred to Werribee - so would assume Dubbo have around 14 horses.

Details on individuals:

0.1 Genghis
0.1 Tegus
0.1 Unknown (09/10/2018) Nikolai x Mila
0.1 Tuya (28/06/2019) Nikolai x Genghis

Tuya was the fifth foal of Genghis. She gave birth to a colt named Kahn in May 2018.

A colt was born to Tegus 10/10/2018.

A filly named Dash was born January 2018 at Dubbo. I’m guessing this is the Dash at Altina.

Seeing double! Two Takhi foals born at Dubbo Zoo
 
The latest figure I have is from 2020 (still 18 horses).

Details on individuals:

0.1 Genghis
0.1 Tegus
0.1 Unknown (09/10/2018) Nikolai x Mila
0.1 Tuya (28/06/2019) Nikolai x Genghis

Tuya was the fifth foal of Genghis. She gave birth to a colt named Kahn in May 2018.

A colt was born to Tegus 10/10/2018.

A filly named Dash was born January 2018 at Dubbo. I’m guessing this is the Dash at Altina.

Seeing double! Two Takhi foals born at Dubbo Zoo
Thanks. I have a bunch of info on horses that have been/still are at Dubbo, but I can’t seem to get confirmation on which ones are still there.

I thought that too, but the Altina Dash was born at Altina pre-2015. I think it’s a double up on the name. And the studbook is incomplete, so it’s hard to confirm things.
 
Horses possibly at Dubbo…

0.1 Genghis (Ronald x Naomi) 27/12/2003
1.0 Nikolai (Molya x Mahan) 13/05/2012 Transferred 2016 from Werribee
0.1 Zaria (Viktor x Suren) 29/01/2013
0.1 (Viktor x Genghis) 01/02/2013
0.1 Tegua (Viktor x Genghis) 13/02/2014
0.1 Dash (Nikolai x Zaria) 01/01/2018
1.0 Kahn (Nikolai x Genghis) 25/05/2018
0.1 (Nikolai x Mila) 09/10/2018
1.0 (Nikolai x Tegus) 10/10/2018
0.1 Tuya (Nikolai x Genghis) 28/06/2019
0.1 Tes (Nikolai x Zaria) 19/12/2018
1.0 Davi (Nikolai x Solongo) 17/12/2018
0.1 Solongo (Viktor x Genghis) 01/12/2010
 
As of 06/02/2023, this information about Monarto is confirmed. Monarto holds 13 horses. Katya died 09/02/2022. She was 33. 3 foals were born in 2022, they have not been named yet.

Monarto Safari Park, SA, Australia (5.8)

1.0 Bayan (Lachlan x Rosanne) 09/11/1997
1.0 Bataai/Bataar (Viktor x Naylah) 09/01/2010 Transferred from TWPZ
1.0 Wobbles (unk x unk) 30/12/2014
1.0 Unnamed (Bataai x Tinka) 07/08/2022
1.0 Unnamed (Bataai x Takhi-too) 18/09/2022

0.1 Takhi (Khan x Viktorya) 15/08/1994
0.1 Effie (Zambyn x Natasya) 06/11/2007
0.1 Tinka (Zambyn x Katinka) 07/12/2008
0.1 Takhi-too (Zambyn x 4152) 16/02/2013
0.1 Makybe (Bataai x unk) 08/05/2016
0.1 Tayla (Bataai x Katinka) 31/07/2016
0.1 Annus Mirabilis (Bataai x Effie) 13/03/2017
0.1 Unnamed (Bataai x Effie) 28/09/2022
 
The open range zoos would be mad not to consider them. They’re comparatively easy to maintain compared to primates, felids etc. All you need is a field, shelter and a raceway/holding yard to manage separations for vet care etc.
Exactly, they are actually in some ways cheaper than your average horse due to their hardy nature, I think they'd be perfect for some of the kiwi zoos especially Orana and Hamilton
 
Exactly, they are actually in some ways cheaper than your average horse due to their hardy nature, I think they'd be perfect for some of the kiwi zoos especially Orana and Hamilton

I imagine they’d be quite enabling as well. Most people like horses and they’re an endangered wild animal to satisfy anyone who’d otherwise mistake them for a domestic species.

They can be kept in varying herd sizes from 2-20 to accomodate space/budget constraints. They’re also easy to import due to being an equine species (the racing industry has paved the way for imports).
 
@akasha

Awesome research and lists.

Really want to go out and visit the Przewalski Horses at Fernhill Estate in Mulgoa, would be co if some other zoos in our region cold hold them too, so beautiful (your photos of them at Fernhill were brilliant).

Those poor horses just being left like that to fend for themselves, lucky there was grass and a few shrubs etc; that sounds like Emmanual Margolin just left them there when his notorious Notre Dame Zoo was finally closed down in the late '90s.
 
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