Taronga Western Plains Zoo welcomes new Przewalski’s Horse foal

This is the fourth foal for experienced mother Genghis, who is taking motherhood in her stride.

“The foal has been named Khan, as a tribute to his mother,” Keeper Jack Foley said. 

“So far we couldn’t be happier with how both mother and foal are doing. Khan is staying close to his mother and is still finding his place in the herd. He can often be spotted sleeping in the sun during the day.

“Khan is the second new arrival to the herd this year, with a filly named Dash born on January 1. As Khan grows he will interact more with Dash and no doubt we’ll see them galloping around the paddock together.

“Genghis is a very relaxed, easy going mother and has been a pillar of the breeding program at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, with two of her four foals having already bred, carrying on this important genetic line to another generation.

“At the moment Khan has quite a woolly looking coat however, as winter passes and the weather starts to warm up he will start to shed this layer,” Jack said. 

Khan has arrived just prior to the official opening of the Zoo’s Wild Herds precinct on 3 July 2018. Wild Herds is a newly redeveloped area that will showcase the Takhi as well as the Zoo’s successful breeding program for this species and its role in helping to bring them back from the brink of extinction. The precinct consists of a replica Mongolian village setting with views across to the Takhi herd, as well as a deer walkthrough.

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“This new precinct will be a great opportunity for visitors to learn about the Takhi and their unique history as well as enjoy close encounters with our friendly Fallow Deer.

“It has been an exciting year so far for the Zoo, with lots of big changes and new arrivals. We are all looking forward to the opening of the Wild Herds precinct just in time for the school holidays,” Jack said. 

Takhi are today classified as endangered in the wild, but were once extinct. Prior to reintroduction programs Takhi were last seen in the wild in the Gobi Desert, in south Mongolia. Their numbers dwindled as a result of human interference such as poaching and capture. Today, their main threats are habitat loss and low genetic diversity.