08/09/2005 – Long absent
from the Mongolian steppe, the population
of native takhi horses is growing. With a
small build, upright mane, and dark brown
legs, the takhi is considered the world’s
only genuine wild horse.
Ten takhis – six females and four males,
have been reintroduced to a site in the Khomiin
Tal steppe – a 2,500km2 area in western Mongolia
which acts as a buffer zone to the Khar Us
Nuur National Park. These horses, released
at the end of August, joined an already established
herd of 12 which were released a year ago
in the same area. Both groups of horses were
bred in a French nature reserve by the Association
for Takhi Conservation (TAKH).
“From biodiversity point of view, Khomiin
Tal is well suited for the conservation of
these unique horses, but, also for other rare
and endangered species in the buffer zone
of Khar Us Nuur National Park,” said Byambaa
Munhktuya, WWF Mongolia's scientific officer
for the Takhi project.
“This is the third sub-population of horses
reintroduced into their historical range of
Mongolia, especially in the Altai-Sayan eco-region.”
The Altai-Sayan Ecoregion is one of WWF's
Global 200 ecoregions — a science-based global
ranking of the world's most biologically outstanding
habitats and the regions on which WWF concentrates
its efforts.
The re-introduction project of takhi horses
(also known as Przewalskii horses) in Khomiin
Tal is funded and implemented by the Takhi
Foundation, together with WWF-France and the
WWF Mongolia Programme Office. The project
consists of four phases: a feasibility study
and background research; a preparation phase:
a release phase; and post-release monitoring.
"The project aims to sustainably conserve
the rich biodiversity in the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion,
especially in Khar Us Nuur NP buffer zone,"
said Tserendorj Munkhbat, WWF Mongolia's Takhi
project coordinator.
"This includes conservation of other
endangered species, as well as improve pasture
management issues, and social and economical
development in the buffer zone."
