There they are! A breeding group of 5 adults and 2 foals, the white one was lying down the whole time we were observing them. They were not skittish at all. 
I was getting all misty-eyed about these being the ancestors of every horse alive in the world today, down to the pony, Tar Baby, that Laurel and I got for the girls years ago. Then we went to the research center (we were in (K)Hustai National Park, which is one of 3 Mongolian homes to these horses that have been re-introduced from zoos and breeding programs in Europe, where the only ones were living prior to 1994) and talked to a young Mongolian biologist who said that it's more like the Takhi and today's domestic horses share a common ancestor. Well, duh! I reminded myself of the anti-evolutionists who declare "I'm not descended from a monkey!"
Still, it was cool to see them. And impressive to hear about the re-introduction, which has been very successful. About 40 mares foaled in Hustai in May, with a few more to go. The herd here numbers about 220 now. At one other reserve, the reproduction rate is not as great although the herd is growing. But in the third place, there have been no foals born at all. Some of the research is about why that might be.
Although domestic animals are "absolutely illegal" in the park, when I asked about the horses I had observed there, the biologist said that they have found that with a few other animals roaming about, the park's population of wolves (around 30-40 individuals) will sate their hunger on various animals and not just baby Takhi.
Most of the Takhi are the "buckskin" coloring that I have always liked so much, but look at that spotted foal! And the one lying down appeared to be all white. Their manes stand up like a brush, they are thick-necked and sturdy.
I was getting all misty-eyed about these being the ancestors of every horse alive in the world today, down to the pony, Tar Baby, that Laurel and I got for the girls years ago. Then we went to the research center (we were in (K)Hustai National Park, which is one of 3 Mongolian homes to these horses that have been re-introduced from zoos and breeding programs in Europe, where the only ones were living prior to 1994) and talked to a young Mongolian biologist who said that it's more like the Takhi and today's domestic horses share a common ancestor. Well, duh! I reminded myself of the anti-evolutionists who declare "I'm not descended from a monkey!"
Still, it was cool to see them. And impressive to hear about the re-introduction, which has been very successful. About 40 mares foaled in Hustai in May, with a few more to go. The herd here numbers about 220 now. At one other reserve, the reproduction rate is not as great although the herd is growing. But in the third place, there have been no foals born at all. Some of the research is about why that might be.
Although domestic animals are "absolutely illegal" in the park, when I asked about the horses I had observed there, the biologist said that they have found that with a few other animals roaming about, the park's population of wolves (around 30-40 individuals) will sate their hunger on various animals and not just baby Takhi. 
Most of the Takhi are the "buckskin" coloring that I have always liked so much, but look at that spotted foal! And the one lying down appeared to be all white. Their manes stand up like a brush, they are thick-necked and sturdy.
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