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China's Wild Horse Comeback: 900+ Strong!
5 Mar
Summary
- Przewalski's horses, the last wild horse species, nearly vanished.
- China's conservation efforts have boosted their population to over 900.
- International cooperation is vital for continued wild horse growth.
The Przewalski's horse, a species with an evolutionary history spanning over 60 million years, faced near extinction. Native to China's Junggar Basin and Mongolia, this wild horse is now a first-class protected animal in China and remains endangered globally.
China initiated a crucial reintroduction program in 1985, establishing breeding bases and introducing founder animals from various countries. This phased approach focused on rebuilding wild populations by creating smaller groups to form a solid breeding stock.
Intensive efforts in upgrading facilities, daily monitoring, and improving nutrition across breeding seasons have strengthened conservation capacity. China's management has been praised for its success in breeding, monitoring, and winter feeding, providing essential support for newly established populations.
As of 2025, China's Przewalski's horse population exceeded 900, making up one-third of the global total. This achievement demonstrates that large animals can be successfully returned to the wild. However, expanding these populations remains a long-term endeavor, requiring ongoing international cooperation to bolster existing herds and promote genetic diversity for continued growth.
