Przewalski's Horse in Khustain Nuruu National Park, Mongolia
Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii, Equus przewalskii or Equus caballus przewalskii, classification is debated); also known as the Asian Wild Horse or Mongolian Wild Horse, or Takhi, is the closest living wild relative of the domestic horse. Most "wild" horses today, such as the American Mustang or the Austalian Brumbies, are actually feral animals, horses that were once domesticated but escaped and reverted to an apparently wild status. The Przewalski's Horse, on the other hand, has never been successfully domesticated and remains a truly wild animal today. There were once several types of equid that had never been successfully domesticated, including the Tarpan, and others. However, most have become extinct, with the Przewalski's Horse and various sub species of the Onager the only remaining truly wild horses in the world. As of a census taken in 2005, the world population of these horses was about 1,500, all descended from 31 horses that were in captivity in 1945, mostly descended from approximately 15 captured around 1900. A cooperative venture between the Zoological Society of London and Mongolian scientists has resulted in successful reintroduction of these horses from zoos into their natural habitat in Mongolia, and as of 2005 there is a free-ranging population of 248 animals in the wild.
Size: 5100px × 3400px
Location: Mongolia
Photo credit: © Mikhail Yurenkov / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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