Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Takhi (Przewalski’s Horse) foals, Dash and Khan are now six and three months old respectively.

The foals have growing and developing well under the watchful eyes of their mothers. They have been observed interacting with each other on a few occasions now, mainly smelling each other or running around together. This will continue to increase as they both get older and start to venture away from their mother’s side more and more to explore their surrounds.

“Both of the foals are really energetic and love to run around especially in the morning, but they never venture too far away from their mothers at present,” said Keeper Jack Foley.

Takhi foals will stay with their mothers until they are completely independent around 1 – 3 years of age or when the mother has another foal. Both foals are currently suckling from their mothers but as they grow they will start to eat hay and graze on the grass in the exhibit as well.

There are now 12 Takhi in the herd and they have settled in to their new home at the new Wild Herds precinct. The Wild Herds exhibit is a great opportunity to see the two new arrivals but also learn about the history of this species and how they were once extinct in the wild. Be sure to arrive in time for the daily keeper talk at 12:45pm where you see the herd have their midday meal.

“The Takhi are a unique species, the best thing about working with them is their history and knowing what the Zoo has done to help the species come back from extinction in the wild,” said Jack.