Photo tour of Przewalsky horse in Altyn-Emel Park -
Trip from Almaty to Basshi village and Mynbulak tract -
Przewalskiy horse is the only surviving subspecies of true wild horse in the world, which has never been domesticated by humans. Unlike domestic horses, it has 66 chromosomes (versus 64 in domestic horses), which makes it genetically special and unique. Its appearance resembles its prehistoric ancestors: a dense build, short legs, a powerful neck, an erect straight mane and a characteristic stripe along the back. This horse got its name in honor of the Russian explorer Nikolai Mikhailovich Przewalsky. In 1879, he received a skull and skin of an unknown animal from Kazakh hunters, and after scientific analysis, zoologists officially recognized it as a new species. In the following decades, scientists tried to study these wild horses in the wild, but their numbers dwindled with each passing year.
By the mid-20th century, the situation had become critical – only 12 purebred breeders remained in captivity. That was when the international scientific community sounded the alarm. In 1959, a historic symposium was held in Prague, where the first stud book of the species was created and efforts to preserve it began to be coordinated between zoos in different countries. This program became one of the first coordinated attempts in the world to preserve an endangered species. A real triumph of conservation efforts was the reintroduction program, which began in the 1990s. The first horses were released into the Mongolian Khustain-Nuruu Nature Reserve, followed by projects in Russia, Kazakhstan and China. The Kazakh program in the Altyn-Emel National Park was especially successful, where the population has already exceeded 150 individuals. These strong, stocky horses with their characteristic upright mane and dun coloring are once again galloping across the very steppes where Przewalsky first saw them.
At first, the horses were released into specially protected areas in Mongolia and China. Later, they began to be resettled in Kazakhstan, their historical homelands. Altyn-Emel National Park became one of the most important places for reintroduction. The spacious steppes, mild climate, and absence of large predators made this region ideal for restoring the population. Today, Altyn-Emel is home to a stable population of "Kerkulans" - as Przewalskiy horses are also called. They live in herds, avoid people, lead a secretive lifestyle, and feed on steppe grasses. Their appearance has become a true symbol of hope and triumph in efforts to save endangered species. Today, there are about 2,500 Przewalsky horses in the world, of which about 760 live in the wild. The species remains vulnerable – the effects of inbreeding due to the small number of founders of the population are felt, the threat from poaching and competition with livestock remains. But scientists continue their work: they expand the area of reintroduction, study the genetics of populations, and develop new methods of protection. Przewalsky horse has become not only a successful example of species conservation, but also a symbol of hope for all endangered animals on the planet.
The history of Przewalsky horse is the story of its return from oblivion. The strength, endurance and independence of this animal embody the spirit of wild nature. And now, watching them in the vastness of Altyn-Emel, you can feel the breath of eternity and pride in the fact that man is still capable of not only destroying, but also restoring what has been lost. The history of the horse continues, and now it is up to us whether the next generations will be able to see these amazing animals not only in zoos, but also in the endless steppes of Central Asia, where they lived for millennia.
Attractions nearby:
Singing Dune
Terekty Gorge
Terekty petroglyphs (rock carvings)
700-year-old willow
Chokan Valikhanov Spring
Besshatyr Mounds
Big Besshatyr Mound
Besshatyr Menhirs (stone steles)
Oshaktas Steles (stone steles)
Aktau Mountains (White Mountains)
Katutau Mountains (lava mountains)
Altynemel Mountain Range
Sholak Mountains
Ulken-Kalkan Mountains
Kysty-Kalkan Mountains
Matai Mountains
Degeres Mountains
Kulans (wild donkeys)
Sights of Altyn-Emel Park
History of Besshatyr Mounds
Legend of the Singing Dunes
Fauna of Altyn-Emel Park
Flora of Altyn-Emel Park
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