The San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Thursday announced the birth of a young horse from a critically endangered species considered extinct in the wild until 1996.
The unnamed foal, a Przewalski’s horse, was born June 11 to mother Nikki and father Ziggy, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said in a news release.
The parents were recommended by the Association of Zoo and Aquariums’ Przewalski’s Horse Species Survival Plan, which conservationists across the U.S. oversee to ensure healthy and genetically diverse populations.
Sometimes known as “the last wild horse,” the Przewalski’s horse has survived for 40 years almost entirely in zoos around the world, according to the Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit international conservation organization.
Przewalski’s horses have been reintroduced into their native habitats, resulting in several herds in grasslands in China and Mongolia.
Welcome to the neigh-borhood 🐴 The newest tiny prancer is settling in nicely with the Przewalski's horse herd at the Safari Park. The colt was born on June 11th and is staying close to his mama Nikki as he continues to find his stride. pic.twitter.com/OkcKduiAxY
— San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (@sandiegozoo) June 29, 2023