Endangered Przewalski's horse foal born at new grazing grounds in Prague

The herd of endangered Převalský's horses at the Dívčí hrady enclosure in Prague 5 welcomed their first foal born at the location this weekend. It's also the first addition to this species this year for Prague Zoo, which operates the Dívčí hrady enclosure. Zoo officials announced the news on social media.

The mother of the new foal is five-year-old mare Khamiina, and the father is the seven-year-old stallion Granola. Both horses became parents for the first time ever. Initial estimates are that their foal is a female.

Locals and visitors are welcome to observe the cub together with the herd in their twenty-hectare enclosure at Dívčí hrady, which is just south of the Radlická metro station. Officials have emphasized that feeding the horses is strictly prohibited.

“Khamiina gave birth without any complications last night. After all, night births are typical for horses," explains Prague Zoo curator Barbora Dobiášová.

"The cub is healthy and, according to our observations, it is almost certainly a female. However, we are allowing the herd to rest for now, and the sex of the foal will be confirmed only after a veterinary examination when possible."

Převalský's horses have inhabited the Dívčí hrady area in Prague's Smíchov neighborhood since April 2021. The purpose of the project is not only to revive the historical location with the presence of the endangered horses, but also to contribute to the prosperity of the local communities of plants and animals as the herd assists in grazing the grass.

Today, people can observe a herd of seven Převalský's horses, including the new two-day-old foal, from a special lookout point. The remaining horses taken care of by the zoo live at a breeding station in Dolní Dobřejov.

Currently, a large new enclosure is being built for the species in Trója at the premises of Prague Zoo. By the Zoo's top cable car station, visitors can already see fauna from the Převalský's horses native Mongolia. The new enclosure at Prague Zoo is expected to open in the spring of 2024.