Keepers at Taronga Western Plains Zoo are delighted to announce the birth of a Przewalski’s Horse foal, born on 20 January 2016.

The female foal has been named Bukhara after a reserve in Uzbekistan, Mongolia. Bukhara is the second offspring for mother Suren, and was sired by Stan.

“The birth of this foal is another success for the breeding program which has seen many foals born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo,” Unit Supervisor, Pascale Benoit.

 “Both mother and foal are doing well. The foal is staying close to her mother’s side although she is starting to become curious about her surroundings. She continuing to gain strength and confidence.

The Przewalski’s Horse is critically endangered and was once classified as extinct in the wild. In 1995 five Przewalski’s Horse from Taronga Western Plains Zoo were flown to Mongolia and reintroduced as part of a herd assembled by world zoos to the wild in the Gobi Desert. Through this collaboration, numbers have continued to steadily increase in Mongolia.

 “There are now almost 2000 Przewalski’s Horses in human care and in the wild today, which is a huge step for this species that was once extinct in the wild,” said Pascale.

The reintroduction of Przewalski’s Horse to Mongolia is a global conservation success with many zoos and wildlife parks working together to ensure the long-term survival of the species.

Both mother and foal are on exhibit with the rest of the Przewalski’s Horse herd at Taronga Western Plains Zoo open daily from 9am – 4pm.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is located in Dubbo in Central Western NSW and is open every day. For more information about the Zoo visit www.taronga.org.au or contact 6881 1400.